In the example below, Tony uses the indexation method, the discount method and the 'other' method to calculate his capital gain so he can decide which method gives him the best result. This example shows you how to complete the Capital gain or capital loss worksheet to calculate your capital gain when you acquire or dispose of shares.
Remember that if you bought and sold your shares within 12 months, you must use the 'other' method to calculate your capital gain. If you owned your shares for 12 months or more, you may be able to use either the discount method or the indexation method, whichever gives you the better result.
Because each share in a parcel of shares is a separate CGT asset, you can use different methods to work out the amount of any capital gain for shares within a parcel. This may be to your advantage if you have capital losses to apply.
For example, Belinda acquired a parcel of 1,000 shares on 1 December 1992. She sold them on 31 July 2003. Because she has capital losses, Belinda chooses to work out her capital gain from 460 of her shares using the indexation method. She uses the discount method to work out the capital gain from the other 540 shares.
Example – Using all three methods to calculate a capital gain
On 1 July 1993, Tony bought 10,000 shares in Kimbin Ltd for $2 each. He paid stockbrokers fee of $250 and stamp duty of $50.
On 1 July 2003, Kimbin Ltd offered each of its shareholders one right for each four shares owned to acquire shares in the company for $1.80 each. The market value of the shares at the time was $2.50. On 1 August 2003, Tony exercised all rights and paid $1.80 per share.
On 1 December 2003, Tony sold all his shares in Kimbin Ltd for $3.00 each. He incurred stockbrokers fee of $500 and stamp duty of $50.
Separate records
Tony has two parcels of shares - those he acquired on 1 July 1993 and those he acquired at the time he exercised all rights, 1 August 2003. He needs to keep separate records for each parcel and apportion the stockbrokers fee of $500 and stamp duty of $50.
The completed Capital gain or capital loss worksheets (PDF 84KB)This link will download a file show how Tony can evaluate which method gives him the best result.
He uses the 'other' method for the shares he owned for less than 12 months, as he has no choice:
$7,500 − $4,610 = $2,890
For the shares he has owned for 12 months or more, his capital gain using the indexation method would be:
$30,000 − $23,257 = $6,743
This means his net capital gain would be:
'other method' + indexation method = net capital gain
$2,890 + $6,743 = $9,633
If Tony uses the discount method instead (assuming he has no losses), his capital gain would be:
$30,000 − $20,740 = $9,260
He applies the CGT discount of 50%:
$9,260 × 50% = $4,630
This means his net capital gain would be:
'other' method + discount method = net capital gain
$2,890 + $4,630 = $7,520
In this case he would choose the discount method rather than the indexation method, as it gives him the better result (less capital gains).
Dividends paid by listed investment companies (LIC) that include LIC capital gain
End of example