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Foreign exchange gains and losses

Last updated 3 March 2016

New legislation dealing with foreign exchange (forex) gains and losses generally applies from 1 July 2003. The legislation introduces CGT events K10 and K11. The new CGT events mean that short-term forex gains or losses arising under a transaction for the acquisition or disposal of certain capital assets are integrated into the tax treatment of the capital asset or are matched to the character of the gain or loss that would arise from the disposal of the asset. For the new rules to apply, the due date for payment must be within 12 months of acquiring the asset or disposing of it. Taxpayers could choose, generally by 16 January 2004, not to have this rule apply so forex gains and losses were instead assessable or deductible. For more information, refer to Capital assets and the 12 month rule.

QC27527