ato logo
Search Suggestion:

Modifications to the cost base and reduced cost base

Last updated 5 October 2009

In some cases, the general rules for calculating the cost base and reduced cost base have to be modified. For example, the market value may be substituted for the first element of the cost base or reduced cost base if:

  • you did not incur expenditure to acquire the asset
  • some or all of the expenditure you incurred cannot be valued, or
  • you did not deal at arm's length with the vendor in acquiring the asset.

If you acquire a CGT asset or incur expenditure and only part of the expenditure you incur relates to the CGT asset, only that part of the expenditure that is reasonably attributable to the asset can be included in its cost base or reduced cost base.

Similarly, if a CGT event happens only to part of a CGT asset, the cost base or reduced cost base of the asset is generally apportioned to work out the capital gain or capital loss from the CGT event.

QC27417