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The discount method

Last updated 5 October 2009

You can use the discount method to calculate your capital gain if:

  • you are an individual, a trust or a complying superannuation fund
  • a CGT event happens in relation to an asset you own
  • the CGT event happened after 11.45 am on 21 September 1999
  • you acquired the asset at least 12 months before the CGT event
  • you did not choose to use the indexation method.

In determining whether you acquired the CGT asset at least 12 months before the CGT event, both the day of acquisition and the day of the CGT event are excluded.

Start of example

Example

Sally acquired a CGT asset on 2 February 2001. Sally is entitled to apply the CGT discount if a CGT event happens in relation to that asset on or after 3 February 2002.

End of example

In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for the CGT discount even if you have not owned the asset for at least 12 months. For example:

  • if you acquire a CGT asset as a legal personal representative or as a beneficiary of a deceased estate. The 12-month requirement is satisfied if the asset was acquired by the deceased:  
    • before 20 September 1985 and you disposed of it 12 months (or more) after they died or
    • on or after 20 September 1985 and you disposed of it 12 months or more after they acquired it
     
  • if you acquired an asset as a result of a marriage breakdown, you will satisfy the 12-month requirement if the period your spouse owned the asset and the period you have owned the asset are in total equal to or greater than 12 months, or
  • if a CGT asset is compulsorily acquired, lost or destroyed and you acquire a roll-over replacement asset, you will satisfy the 12-month requirement for the replacement asset if the period of ownership of the original asset and the replacement asset is at least 12 months.

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