Guide to capital gains tax 2006
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Appendixes
Appendix 1: Summary of CGT events
Disposal
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
A1 | Disposal of a CGT asset | when the disposal contract is entered into or, if none, when the entity stops being the asset's owner | capital proceeds from disposal less the asset's cost base | asset's reduced cost base less capital proceeds |
Hire purchase and similar agreements
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
B1 | Use and enjoyment before title passes | when use of the CGT asset passes | capital proceeds less the asset's cost base | asset's reduced cost base less capital proceeds |
End of a CGT asset
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
C1 | Loss or destruction of a CGT asset | when compensation is first received or, if none, when the loss is discovered or destruction occurred | capital proceeds less the asset's cost base | asset's reduced cost base less capital proceeds |
C2 | Cancellation, surrender and similar endings | when the contract ending an asset is entered into or, if none, when an asset ends | capital proceeds from the ending less the asset's cost base | asset's reduced cost base less capital proceeds |
C3 | End of an option to acquire shares and so on | when the option ends | capital proceeds from granting the option less expenditure in granting it | expenditure in granting the option less capital proceeds |
Bringing a CGT asset into existence
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
D1 | Creating contractual or other rights | when the contract is entered into or the right is created | capital proceeds from creating the right less incidental costs of creating the right | incidental costs of creating the right less capital proceeds |
D2 | Granting an option | when the option is granted | capital proceeds from the grant less expenditure to grant it | expenditure to grant the option less capital proceeds |
D3 | Granting a right to income from mining | when the contract is entered into or, if none, when the right is granted | capital proceeds from the grant of right less the expenditure to grant it | expenditure to grant the right less capital proceeds |
D4 | Entering into a conservation covenant | when covenant is entered into | capital proceeds from covenant less cost base apportioned to the covenant | reduce cost base apportioned to the covenant less capital proceeds from covenant |
Trusts
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
E1 | Creating a trust over a CGT asset | when the trust is created | capital proceeds from creating the trust less the asset's cost base | asset's reduced cost base less capital proceeds |
E2 | Transferring a CGT asset to a trust | when the asset is transferred | capital proceeds from the transfer less the asset's cost base | asset's reduced cost base less capital proceeds |
E3 | Converting a trust to a unit trust | when the trust is converted | market value of the asset at that time less its cost base | asset's reduced cost base less that market value |
E4 | Capital payment for trust interest | when the trustee makes the payment | non-assessable part of the payment less the cost base of the trust interest | no capital loss |
E5 | Beneficiary becoming entitled to a trust asset | when the beneficiary becomes absolutely entitled | for a trustee - market value of the CGT asset at that time less its cost base; for a beneficiary - that market value less the cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest | for a trustee - reduced cost base of the CGT asset at that time less that market value; for a beneficiary - reduced cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest less that market value |
E6 | Disposal to a beneficiary to end an income right | the time of the disposal | for a trustee - market value of the CGT asset at that time less its cost base; for a beneficiary - that market value less the cost base of the beneficiary's right to income | for a trustee - reduced cost base of the CGT asset at that time less that market value; for a beneficiary - reduced cost base of the beneficiary's right to income less that market value |
E7 | Disposal to a beneficiary to end capital interest | the time of the disposal | for a trustee - market value of the CGT asset at that time less its cost base; for a beneficiary - that market value less the cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest | for a trustee - reduced cost base of the CGT asset at that time less that market value; for a beneficiary - reduced cost base of the beneficiary's capital interest less that market value |
E8 | Disposal by a beneficiary of capital interest | when the disposal contract is entered into or, if none, when the beneficiary ceases to own the CGT asset | capital proceeds less the appropriate proportion of the trust's net assets | appropriate proportion of the trust's net assets less the capital proceeds |
E9 | Creating a trust over future property | when the entity makes an agreement | market value of the property (as if it existed when the agreement was made) less incidental costs in making the agreement | incidental costs in making the agreement less the market value of the property (as if it existed when the agreement was made) |
Leases
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
F1 | Granting a lease | for granting a lease - when the entity enters into the lease contract or, if none, at the start of the lease; for a lease renewal or extension - at the start of the renewal or extension | capital proceeds less the expenditure on grant, renewal or extension | expenditure on grant, renewal or extension less capital proceeds |
F2 | Granting a long-term lease | for granting a lease - when the lessor grants the lease; for a lease renewal or extension - at the start of the renewal or extension | capital proceeds from the grant, renewal or extension less the cost base of the leased property | reduced cost base of the leased property less the capital proceeds from the grant, renewal or extension |
F3 | Lessor pays lessee to get lease changed | when the lease term is varied or waived | no capital gain | amount of expenditure to get lessee's agreement |
F4 | Lessee receives payment for changing a lease | when the lease term is varied or waived | capital proceeds less the cost base of lease | no capital loss |
F5 | Lessor receives payment for changing a lease | when the lease term is varied or waived | capital proceeds less expenditure in relation to variation or waiver | expenditure in relation to variation or waiver less capital proceeds |
Shares
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
G1 | Capital payment for shares | when the company pays a non-assessable amount | payment less cost base of shares | no capital loss |
G3 | Liquidator or administrator declares shares or financial instruments worthless | when declaration is made | no capital gain | shares' or financial instruments' reduced cost base |
Special capital receipts
CGT | event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss |
H1 | Forfeiture of a deposit | when the deposit is forfeited | deposit less expenditure in connection with the prospective sale | expenditure in connection with the prospective sale less deposit |
H2 | Receipt for an event relating to a CGT asset | when the act, transaction or event occurred | capital proceeds less the incidental costs | incidental costs less capital proceeds |
Cessation of residency
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
I1 | Individual or company stops being an Australian resident | when the individual or company stops being an Australian resident | for each CGT asset the person owns, its market value less its cost base | for each CGT asset the person owns, its reduced cost base less its market value |
I2 | Trust stops being a resident trust | when the trust ceases to be a resident trust for CGT purposes | for each CGT asset the trustee owns, its market value less its cost base | for each CGT asset the trustee owns, its reduced cost base less its market value |
Reversal of rollover
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
J1 | Company stops being a member of a wholly owned group after a rollover | when the company stops being a member of a wholly owned group after a rollover | market value of the asset at the time of the event less its cost base | reduced cost base of the asset less that market value |
J2 | Change in status of a CGT asset that was a replacement asset in a rollover under Subdivision 152-E | when the change in status happens | the amount of the capital gain that you disregarded under Subdivision 152-E | no capital loss |
J3 | A change happens in circumstances where a share in a company or an interest in a trust was a replacement asset in a rollover under Subdivision 152-E | when the change in circumstances happens | the amount of the capital gain that you disregarded under Subdivision 152-E | no capital loss |
J4 | Trust failing to cease to exist after rollover under Subdivision 124-N | when the failure to cease to exist happens | for the company - market value of the asset at the time the company acquired it less its cost base at that time for a shareholder - market value of the share at the time the shareholder acquired it less its cost base at that time | for the company - reduced cost base of the asset at the time the company acquired it less its market value at that time for a shareholder - reduced cost base of the share at the time the shareholder acquired it less its market value at that time |
Other CGT events
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
K2 | Bankrupt pays an amount in relation to debt | when payment is made | no capital gain | that part of the payment that relates to the denied part of a net capital loss |
K3 | Asset passing to a tax-advantaged entity | when an individual dies | market value of the asset at death less its cost base | reduced cost base of the asset less that market value |
K4 | CGT asset starts being trading stock | when the asset starts being trading stock | market value of asset less its cost base | reduced cost base of asset less that market value |
K5 | Special capital loss from a collectable that has fallen in market value | when CGT event A1, C2 or E8 happens to shares in the company, or an interest in the trust, that owns the collectable | no capital gain | market value of the shares or interest (as if the collectable had not fallen in market value) less the capital proceeds from CGT event A1, C2 or E8 |
K6 | Pre-CGT shares or trust interest | when another CGT event involving the shares or interest happens | capital proceeds from the shares or trust interest that are attributable to post-CGT assets owned by the company or trust, less the assets' cost bases | no capital loss |
K7 | Balancing adjustment occurs for a depreciating asset that you used for purposes other than taxable purposes | when the balancing adjustment event occurs | termination value less cost times fraction | cost less termination value times fraction |
K8 | Direct value shifts affecting your equity or loan interests in a company or trust | the decrease time for the interests | the capital gain worked out under section 725-365 | no capital loss |
K9 | Entitlement to receive payment of a carried interest | when you become entitled to receive the payment | capital proceeds from the entitlement | no capital loss |
K10 | You make a forex realisation gain as a result of forex realisation event 2 and item 1 of the table in subsection 775-70(1) applies | when the forex realisation event happens | equal to the forex realisation gain | no capital loss |
K11 | You make a forex realisation loss as a result of forex realisation event 2 and item 1 of the table in subsection 775-75(1) applies | when the forex realisation event happens | no capital gain | equal to the forex realisation loss |
K12 | Foreign hybrid loss exposure adjustment | just before the end of the income year | no capital gain | the amount stated in subsection 104-270(3) |
Consolidations
CGT event | Time of event | Capital gain | Capital loss | |
L1 | Reduction under section 705-57 in tax cost setting amount of assets of entity becoming subsidiary member of consolidated group or MEC group | just after entity becomes subsidiary member | no capital gain | amount of reduction |
L2 | Amount remaining after step 3A etc of 'joining allocable cost amount is negative' | just after entity becomes subsidiary member | amount remaining | no capital loss |
L3 | Tax cost setting amounts for retained cost base assets exceed joining allocable cost amount | just after entity becomes subsidiary member | amount of excess | no capital loss |
L4 | No reset cost base assets against which to apply excess of net allocable cost amount on joining | just after entity becomes subsidiary member | no capital gain | amount of excess |
L5 | Amount remaining after step 4 of 'leaving allocable cost amount is negative' | when entity ceases to be subsidiary member | amount remaining | no capital loss |
L6 | Error in calculation of tax cost setting amount for joining entity's assets | start of the income year when the Commissioner becomes aware of the errors | the net overstated amount resulting from the errors, or a portion of that amount | the net understated amount resulting from the errors, or a portion of that amount |
L7 | Discharged amount of liability differs from amount for allocable cost amount purposes | start of the income year in which the liability is realised | your allocable cost amount less what it would have been had you used the correct amount for liability | what your allocable cost amount would have been had you used the correct amount for the liability less your allocable cost amount |
L8 | Reduction in tax cost - setting amount for reset cost base assets on joining cannot be allocated | just after entity becomes subsidiary member | no capital gain | amount of reduction that cannot be allocated |
Appendix 2: Consumer price index (CPI)
All groups - weighted average of eight capital cities
Year | Quarter ending | |||
31 Mar | 30 Jun | 30 Sep | 31 Dec | |
1985 | - | - | 71.3 | 72.7 |
1986 | 74.4 | 75.6 | 77.6 | 79.8 |
1987 | 81.4 | 82.6 | 84.0 | 85.5 |
1988 | 87.0 | 88.5 | 90.2 | 92.0 |
1989 | 92.9 | 95.2 | 97.4 | 99.2 |
1990 | 100.9 | 102.5 | 103.3 | 106.0 |
1991 | 105.8 | 106.0 | 106.6 | 107.6 |
1992 | 107.6 | 107.3 | 107.4 | 107.9 |
1993 | 108.9 | 109.3 | 109.8 | 110.0 |
1994 | 110.4 | 111.2 | 111.9 | 112.8 |
1995 | 114.7 | 116.2 | 117.6 | 118.5 |
1996 | 119.0 | 119.8 | 120.1 | 120.3 |
1997 | 120.5 | 120.2 | 119.7 | 120.0 |
1998 | 120.3 | 121.0 | 121.3 | 121.9 |
1999 | 121.8 | 122.3 | 123.4 | N/A* |
For an explanation of indexation and how it applies, see The indexation method .
* | If you use the indexation method to calculate your capital gain, the indexation factor is based on increases in the CPI up to September 1999 only. |
Appendix 3: Flowcharts
This appendix contains four flowcharts. Download Appendices here .
Flowchart 1 | Treatment of bonus shares issued on or after 20 September 1985 |
Flowchart 2 | Treatment of bonus units issued on or after 20 September 1985 |
Flowchart 3 | Treatment of rights or options:
|
Flowchart 4 | Treatment of rights or options:
|
Flowchart 5 | Treatment of rights or options to acquire shares or units:
|
Flowchart 6 | The capital gains tax (CGT) main residence exemption rules when you sell a dwelling you inherited. |
Flowchart 1
Treatment of bonus shares issued on or after 20 September 1985
- Did you acquire the original shares on or after 20 September 1985?
Yes
Read on from question 2
No
Read on from question 4
Yes
Read on from question 3
No
Read answer 1
Yes
Read answer 1
No
Read answer 2
Yes
Read on from question 5
No
Read on from question 6
Yes
Read on from question 6
No
Read answer 3
Yes
Read on from question 7
No
Read answer 4
Yes
Read answer 4
No
Read on from question 8
Yes
Read answer 5
No
Read answer 4
- The bonus shares are subject to capital gains tax.
- The bonus shares are acquired when the original shares were acquired.
- The cost base of each original and bonus share is equal to
- the cost base of the original shares divided by the total number of original and bonus shares, plus
- any calls on partly paid bonus shares.
- The bonus shares are subject to capital gains tax if issued on or after 20 September 1985.
- The acquisition date of the bonus shares is their date of issue.
- The cost base includes the amount of the dividend plus any calls on partly paid bonus shares.
- The bonus shares are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the bonus shares is their date of issue.
- The cost base is the amount of the dividend, plus any calls on partly paid bonus shares.
You are taken to have acquired the bonus shares before 20 September 1985 and they are not subject to capital gains tax.
- The bonus shares are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the bonus shares is the date when the liability to pay the first call arises.
- The cost base is the market value of the bonus shares just before the liability to pay the first call arises, plus the amount of call payments made.
Flowchart 2
Treatment of bonus units issued on or after 20 September 1985
- Did you acquire the original units on or after 20 September 1985?
Yes
Read on from question 2
No
Read on from question 3
Yes
Read answer 1
No
Read answer 2
Yes
Read on from question 4
No
Read on from question 5
Yes
Read answer 1
No
Read answer 4
Yes
Read on from question 6
No
Read answer 4
Yes
Read answer 4
No
Read on from question 7
Yes
Read answer 3
No
Read answer 4
- The bonus units are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the bonus units is their date of issue.
- The cost base is the amount included in assessable income, plus any calls on partly paid bonus units.
- The bonus units are subject to capital gains tax.
- The bonus units are acquired when the original units were acquired.
- The cost base of each original and bonus unit is equal to
- the cost of the original units divided by the total number of original and bonus units, plus
- any calls on partly paid bonus units.
- The bonus units are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the bonus units is the date when the liability to pay the first call arises.
- The cost base is the market value of the bonus units just before the liability to pay the first call arises, plus the amount of call payments made.
You are taken to have acquired the bonus units before 20 September 1985 and they are not subject to capital gains tax.
Flowchart 3
Treatment of rights or options:
- to acquire shares where the rights or options were issued directly to you by the company (but not under an employee share scheme) for no payment because you were a shareholder, or
- to acquire units where the rights or options were issued directly to you after 28 January 1988 by the trust for no payment because you were a unit holder.
- Did you acquire the original shares or units before 20 September 1985?
Yes
Read question 2
No
The acquisition date of the rights or options is the date of acquisition of the original shares or units.
Read question 3
Yes
Read answer 1
No
Read answer 2
Yes
Read answer 3
No
Read answer 4
- The shares or units acquired on exercise of the rights or options are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the shares or units is the date of exercise of the rights or options to acquire the shares or units.
- The first element of the cost base and the reduced cost base of the shares or units is:
- the market value of the rights or options at the time you exercise them, plus
- the amount you pay for the shares or units on exercising the rights or options, plus
- if the rights or options were exercised on or after 1 July 2001 and, as a result, an amount is included in your assessable income - that amount.
Note:
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from exercising the rights or options.
- If you did not exercise the rights or options, you disregard any capital gain or capital loss on the sale or expiry of the rights or options.
- If you exercised the rights or options before that date, you disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make when you dispose of the shares or units that you acquired.
- The shares or units acquired on exercise of the rights or options are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the shares or units is the date of the exercise.
- The first element of the cost base and the reduced cost base of the shares or units is
- the cost base of the rights or options at the time of exercise, plus
- the amount you pay for the shares or units on exercising the rights or options, plus
- if the rights or options were exercised on or after 1 July 2001 and, as a result, an amount is included in your assessable income - that amount.
Note:
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from exercising the rights or options.
If the capital proceeds on the sale or expiry of the rights or options are more than their cost base, you make a capital gain.
If the capital proceeds are less than their reduced cost base, you make a capital loss.
Flowchart 4
Treatment of rights or options:
- to acquire shares where the rights or options were acquired by you from an individual or entity that acquired them as a shareholder in the company, or
- to acquire units where the rights or options were issued after 28 January 1988 and were acquired by you from an individual or entity that acquired them as a unit holder in the trust.
- Did you acquire the rights or options before 20 September 1985?
Yes
Read question 3
No
The acquisition date of the rights or options was the date of the contract to acquire the rights or options or, if there was no contract, the date the other individual or entity stopped being the owner of the rights or options.
Read question 2
Yes
Read answer 4
No
Read answer 1
Yes
Read answer 3
No
Read answer 2
If the capital proceeds on the sale or expiry of the rights or options are more than their cost base, you make a capital gain.
If the capital proceeds are less than their reduced cost base, you make a capital loss.
- If you did not exercise the rights or options, you disregard any capital gain or capital loss on the sale or expiry of the rights or options.
- If you exercised the rights or options before that date, you disregard any capital gain or capital loss when you dispose of the shares or units that you acquired.
- The shares acquired on exercise of the rights or options are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the shares is the date of exercise of the rights or options to acquire the shares or units.
- The first element of the cost base and the reduced cost base of the shares is:
- the market value of the rights or options at the time you exercise them, plus
- the amount you pay for the shares on exercising the rights or options, plus .
- if the rights or options were exercised on or after 1 July 2001 and, as a result, an amount is included in your assessable income - that amount.
Note:
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from exercising the rights or options.
- The shares or units acquired on exercise of the rights or options are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the shares or units is the date of exercise of the rights or options.
- The first element of the cost base and the reduced cost base of the shares or units is:
- the cost base of the rights or options at the time of exercise, plus
- the amount you paid for the shares or units on exercising the rights or options, plus
- if the rights or options were exercised on or after 1 July 2001 and, as a result, an amount is included in your assessable income - that amount.
Note:
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from exercising the rights or options.
Flowchart 5
Treatment of rights or options to acquire shares or units:
- paid for and which were issued directly to you from the company (but not under an employee share scheme) or trust, or
- acquired from an individual or entity that was not a shareholder or unit holder.
Note:
This flowchart does not apply to rights or options for the issue of units by the grantor of the rights or options if they were exercised before 27 May 2005.
- Did you acquire the rights or options before 20 September 1985?
Yes
Read question 2
No
Read question 4
Yes
Read question 3
No
Read answer 1
Yes
Read question 4
No
Read answer 4
Yes
Read answer 3
No
Read answer 2
Yes
Read question 6
No
Read answer 5
Yes
Read answer 5
No
Read answer 3
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make on the sale or expiry of the rights or options.
If the capital proceeds on the sale or expiry of the rights or options are more than their cost base, you make a capital gain. If the capital proceeds are less than their reduced cost base, you make a capital loss.
- The shares or units acquired on exercise of the rights or options are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the shares or units is the date of exercise of the rights or options.
- The first element of the cost base and the reduced cost base of the shares or units is:
- the amount you paid for the rights or options, plus
- the amount you paid for the shares or units on exercising the rights or options.
Note:
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from exercising the rights or options.
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss on the shares or units acquired from the exercise of the rights or options because the shares or units were acquired before 20 September 1985.
- The shares or units acquired on exercise of the rights or options are subject to capital gains tax.
- The acquisition date of the shares or units is the date of exercise of the rights or options.
- The first element of the cost base and the reduced cost base of the shares or units is:
- the market value of the rights or options at the time you exercised them, plus
- the amount you paid for the shares on exercising the rights or options.
Note:
You disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from exercising the rights or options.
Note
This flowchart incorporates changes to the tax treatment of options which have not yet been enacted. These changes will affect options exercised on or after 27 May 2005 and are described in the Minister for Revenue and Assistant Treasurer's press release No.045 of 27 May 2005 - 'Amendments to the capital gains tax treatment of options' . The Tax Office has given approval for you to anticipate this change if you are affected.
Flowchart 6
The capital gains tax (CGT) main residence exemption rules when you sell a dwelling you inherited.
Chapter 6 needs to be read with this flowchart.
Yes
Read question 2
No
Read question 3
Yes
Read answer 1
No
Read question 5
Yes
Read question 4
No
Read answer 2
Yes
Read answer 2
No
Read question 2
- From the deceased person's death until settlement of your contract to sell the inherited dwelling, was it your main residence (or the main residence of an individual who had a right to occupy it under the will or the spouse of the deceased person)?
Yes
Read question 6
No
Read answer 2
- From the deceased person's death until settlement of your contract to sell the inherited dwelling, was any part of the dwelling used to produce income?
Yes
Read answer 2
No
Read answer 1
Dwelling is fully exempt
Dwelling is not fully exempt
(but you may qualify for a part exemption)
This flowchart does not apply to a dwelling that passed to you before 21 August 1996. Chapter 6 sets out the rules that apply in that situation.
Where the deceased person died before 20 September 1985If the deceased person died before 20 September 1985, the dwelling is fully exempt when you sell it. However, if you made a major capital improvement to the dwelling on or after 20 September 1985 and have used it to produce assessable income it may be subject to CGT (see chapter 6 ).
Appendix 4: Some major share transactions
Company | Details of transaction |
AMP Ltd | Demutualisation
Demerger
2005 return of capital
Shareholders needed to reduce the cost base and reduced cost base of each share by $0.40. For each share that had a cost base of less than $0.40, the difference was a capital gain in 2004-05. See our fact sheet AMP 2005 return of capital . |
Aristocrat Leisure Ltd | 2005 return of capital
Shareholders needed to reduce the cost base and reduced cost base of each share by $0.21. For each share that had a cost base of less than $0.21, the difference was a capital gain in 2005-06. See our fact sheet Aristocrat Leisure Limited (Aristocrat): 2005 return of capital . |
Australian Gas Light Company Ltd (AGL) | Return of capital
Shareholders needed to reduce the cost base and reduced cost base of each share by $0.50. For each share that had a cost base of less than $0.50, the difference was a capital gain in 2004-05. See our fact sheet Australian Gas Light Company (AGL) return of capital . |
Aviva Corporation Ltd | Demerger
The fact sheet 2004 Aviva Corporation Ltd demerger and the demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your Aviva and NGM shares after the demerger. |
BHP Billiton Ltd | Demerger
BHP Billiton has advised that BHP Steel represented 5.063% of the market value of the group as a whole just after the demerger. Shareholders who received BHP Steel shares should use this percentage to apportion the sum of the cost bases of their post-CGT BHP Billiton shares between these shares and the BHP Steel shares they received in relation to those post-CGT BHP Billiton shares. The fact sheet 2002 BHP Billiton Group demerger and the demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your BHP Billiton and BlueScope shares after the demerger. 2006 share buy-back
For capital gains tax purposes, they are taken to have received $5.96 per share. The date the shares were sold under the buy-back was 3 April 2006. If the capital proceeds of $5.96 were more than the cost base of the share, the difference is a capital gain to the shareholder in 2004-05. If $5.96 was less than the share's reduced cost base, the difference is a capital loss. See our fact sheet BHP Billiton 2006 off-market share buy-back . |
BlueScope Steel Ltd | 2005 share buy-back
For capital gains tax purposes, they are taken to have received $4.79 per share. The date the shares were sold under the buy-back was 12 April 2005. If the capital proceeds of $4.79 was more than the cost base of the share, the difference is a capital gain to the shareholder in 2004-05. If $4.79 was less than the share's reduced cost base, the difference is a capital loss. See our fact sheet BlueScope Steel Limited: 2005 off-market share buy-back . |
Coles Myer Ltd | 2005 share buy-back
For capital gains tax purposes, they are taken to have received $3.84 per share. The date the shares were sold under the buy-back was 23 May 2005. If the capital proceeds of $3.84 were more than the cost base of the share, the difference is a capital gain to the shareholder in 2004-05. If $3.84 was less than the share's reduced cost base, the difference is a capital loss. See our fact sheet Coles Myer 2005 off-market share buy-back . |
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd | Public share offer
|
CSR Limited - Rinker Group Ltd | Demerger
CSR has advised that Rinker represented 75% of the market value of the group as a whole just after the demerger. Shareholders who received Rinker shares should use this percentage to apportion the sum of the cost bases of their post-CGT CSR shares between these shares and the Rinker shares they received in relation to those post-CGT CSR shares. The demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your Rinker and CSR shares after the demerger. Also see our fact sheet 2003 CSR Ltd demerger . |
Henderson Group PLC (formerly HHG PLC) | Return of cash and reduction of investor base
There are capital gains tax consequences for shareholders. See our fact sheet HHG PLC capital reduction . |
Hibernian Friendly Society (NSW) Ltd (now Aevum Ltd) | Demutualisation
|
Insurance Australia Group (IAG) Ltd | Share purchase plan
There are no CGT consequences at the time of purchase. However, there are tax consequences in relation to owning and disposing of the shares you purchase. |
IOOF Ltd | Demutualisation
|
Mayne Group Ltd | Demerger
Mayne Group has advised that Mayne Pharma represented 44.217% of the market value of the group as a whole just after the demerger. Shareholders who received Mayne Pharma shares should use this percentage to apportion the sum of the cost bases of their post-CGT Mayne Group shares between these shares and the Mayne Pharma shares they received in relation to those post-CGT Mayne Group shares. The fact sheet 2005 Mayne Group Ltd (renamed Symbion Health Ltd) demerger and the demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your Mayne Group and Mayne Pharma shares after the demerger and to work out whether have made a capital gain under the demerger. |
Mincor Resources NL | Demerger
Mincor has advised that TCC represented 9.582% of the market value of the group as a whole just after the demerger. Shareholders who received TCC shares should use this percentage to apportion the sum of the cost bases of their post-CGT Mincor shares between these shares and the TCC shares they received in relation to those post-CGT Mincor shares. The demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your Mincor and TCC shares after the demerger. See our fact sheet 2003 Mincor Resources NL demerger . |
Minotaur Resources Ltd | Demerger and takeover
For every Minotaur share owned, shareholders received one MinEx share. In conjunction with the demerger, Oxiana Ltd (Oxiana) and Minotaur shareholders agreed to a takeover of Minotaur. Under the takeover, Minotaur shareholders received 1.85 new Oxiana shares for each of their Minotaur shares. The fact sheet 2005 Minotaur Resources Ltd demerger and the demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your MinEX and Oxiana shares after the demerger and to work out whether you have made a capital gain under the demerger. |
MPI Mines Ltd | Demerger and takeover
In conjunction with the demerger, LionOre Australia Pty Ltd (LionOre) made a takeover offer for MPI shares. Under the takeover, MPI shareholders were offered $1 and 0.1675 of a LionOre share (in the form of a CHESS Depository Interest) for each of their MPI shares. The takeover offer was accepted by the majority of shareholders. Those who did not accept the offer then had their MPI shares compulsorily acquired by LionOre. Our fact sheet 2004 MPI Mines Ltd demerger and takeover - Impact on resident individual shareholders will help you work out the tax consequences of both the demerger and takeover. |
News Corporation Ltd | Reincorporation
If rollover is chosen, the first element of the cost base of each News Corporation share (including those represented by CDIs) is the sum of the cost base of the two News Corporation Ltd shares they exchanged for it, and shareholders are taken to have acquired their News Corporation shares or CDIs at the time they acquired the News Corporation Ltd shares they exchanged for them. See our fact sheet Newscorp reincorporation . |
NRMA Insurance Group Ltd (NIGL) | Demutualisation
The acquisition date was 19 June 2000. For additional shares purchased through the facility, the acquisition cost was $2.75 and the acquisition date was 6 August 2000. |
Over 50s Mutual Friendly Society Limited (OFM Ltd) | Demutualisation
|
Pasminco Ltd | Declaration that shares are worthless made by administrators
See our fact sheet Capital losses on Pasminco Ltd shares . Creation of a trust over shares
|
Pivot Ltd | Merger
Shareholders of Pivot who acquired their shares before 20 September 1985 made a capital gain under CGT event K6 if their capital proceeds per share was more than $15.08 and they disposed of them after 28 July 2003. The capital gain is equal to 70% of the difference between the capital proceeds and $15.08. (No capital loss is available under CGT event K6.) See our fact sheet Pivot merger with Incitec - CGT on sale of pre-CGT shares . |
Promina Group Ltd | 2005 return of capital
Shareholders needed to reduce the cost base and reduced cost base of each share by $0.23. For each share that had a cost base of less than $0.23, the difference was a capital gain in 2004-05. See our fact sheet Promina Group Ltd (Promina) return of capital . |
Rio Tinto Ltd | 2005 share buy-back
For capital gains tax purposes, they are taken to have received $6.44 per share. The date the shares were sold under the buy-back was 9 May 2005. If the capital proceeds of $6.44 was more than the cost base of the share, the difference is a capital gain to the shareholder in 2004-05. If $6.44 was less than the share's reduced cost base, the difference is a capital loss. See our fact sheet Rio Tinto: 2005 off-market share buy-back . |
Telstra | Public share offer 1
Public share offer 2
|
Virtualplus Holdings Ltd | Demerger
The demerger involved a return of capital of $0.02162 per share in VHL. This amount was compulsorily applied as a consideration for the acquisition of shares in NHL. VHL shareholders were entitled to one NHL share for every 10 of their VHL shares. The fact sheet 2005 Virtualplus Holdings Ltd demerger and the demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your VHL and NHL shares after the demerger and to work out whether you have made a capital gain under the demerger. |
Western Mining Corporation Ltd - WMC Resources Ltd | Demerger
Alumina has advised that WMCR represented 46.30% of the market value of the group as a whole just after the demerger. Shareholders who received WMCR shares should use this percentage to apportion the sum of the cost bases of their post-CGT Alumina shares between these shares and the WMCR shares they received in relation to those post-CGT Alumina shares. The demergers calculator on our website at www.ato.gov.au/demergers (follow the link under 'Shareholder information') will help you work out the cost bases of your Alumina and WMCR shares after the demerger. Takeover
The date the shares were disposed of under the takeover offer was:
If the capital proceeds of $7.85 per share was more than the cost base of the share, the difference is a capital gain in 2004-05. If $7.85 was less than the share's reduced cost base, the difference is a capital loss in 2004-05. See our fact sheet WMC Resources Limited takeover by BHP Billiton Ltd . Shareholders who did not accept the offer by 17 June 2005 should also see the fact sheet. |
Westfield | Capital restructure
Participants received Westfield Group stapled securities through either a stapling arrangement or a sale facility. They also had the option of receiving cash under the sale facility. The tax consequences of these transactions vary depending on whether the shareholder or unit holder chose the 'cash alternative' or 'exchange by sale alternative' or did nothing. See our fact sheets Westfield Group (Westfield) 2004 Capital Restructure - Tax consequences for Westfield Limited shareholders ; Westfield Group 2004 Restructure - Tax consequences for Westfield Trust unit holders ; Westfield 2004 Capital Restructure - Tax consequences for Westfield America Trust unit holders . |
To get a copy of a fact sheet referred to in this appendix, visit our website or, if you do not have internet access, phone our Publications Distribution Service on 1300 720 092 .
Fact sheets may be on our website which do not appear in the table above.
For fact sheets about demergers, select 'For Businesses', then click on 'Large Corporates and Multinationals homepage'. From the menu on the left, under 'Tax topics explained', select 'Demergers' and click on 'Shareholder information'.
For fact sheets on other issues, such as restructures and returns of capital, select 'Individuals' and then click on 'Capital gains tax'. Click on 'Publications' or on 'Special circumstances' to get fact sheets.
For more information about share transactions in earlier years, visit our website.
Definitions
Assessable
income
Assessable income is all the income you have received that should be included on your tax return. Generally, assessable income does not include non-assessable payments from a unit trust, including a managed fund.
Bonus
shares
Bonus shares are additional shares a shareholder receives wholly or partly as a dividend. You may also be required to pay an amount to get them.
Bonus
units
Bonus units are additional units a unit holder receives from the trust. You may also be required to pay an amount to get them.
Calls on
shares
A company may sometimes issue a share at less than its par or face value and then make calls to pay up part or all of the remaining outstanding balance.
Capital
gain
You may make a capital gain from a CGT event such as the sale of an asset. Generally your capital gain is the difference between your asset's cost base (what you paid for it) and your capital proceeds (what you received for it). You can also make a capital gain if a managed fund or other unit trust distributes a capital gain to you.
Capital
gains tax
Capital gains tax (CGT) refers to the income tax you pay on any net capital gain you make and include on your annual income tax return. For example, when you sell (or otherwise dispose of) an asset as part of a CGT event, you are subject to CGT.
Capital
improvements
A capital improvement does not include a repair that is deductible for income tax purposes.
Capital
loss
Generally, you may make a capital loss as a result of a CGT event if you received less capital proceeds for an asset than its reduced cost base (what you paid for it).
Capital
proceeds
Capital proceeds is the term used to describe the amount of money or the value of any property you receive or are entitled to receive as a result of a CGT event. For shares or units, capital proceeds may be:
- the amount you receive from the purchaser
- the value of shares (or units) you receive on a demerger
- the value of shares (or units) and the amount of cash you receive on a merger/takeover, or
- their market value if you give them away.
CGT
asset
CGT assets include shares, units in a unit trust, collectables (such as jewellery), assets for personal use (such as furniture or a boat) and other assets (such as an investment property).
CGT-
Concession amounts
These amounts are the CGT discount component of any actual distribution from a managed fund.
CGT
discount
The CGT discount is the amount (or percentage) by which a capital gain may be reduced under the discount method (see
Discount method
).
CGT
event
A CGT event happens when a transaction takes place such as the sale of a CGT asset. The result is usually a capital gain or capital loss.
Consolidated income
taxation of corporate groups
Taxing wholly owned groups as single entities. Subsidiary members are treated as parts of the head company. Intra-group transactions are disregarded for income tax purposes. Consolidation enables assets to be transferred between members of a group without triggering capital gains or requiring cost base adjustments for membership interests. Effective from 1 July 2002.
Convertible
note
A convertible note is another type of investment you can make in a company or unit trust. A convertible note earns interest on the amount you pay to acquire the note until the note's expiry date. On expiry of the note, you can either ask for the return of the money paid or convert that amount to acquire new shares or units.
Cost
base
The cost base of an asset is generally what it costs you. It is made up of five elements:
- money you paid or property you gave for the asset
- incidental costs of acquiring or selling it (for example, brokerage and stamp duty)
- costs of owning it (generally this will not apply to shares or units because you will usually have claimed or be entitled to claim these costs as tax deductions)
- costs associated with increasing or preserving its value or installing or moving it, and
- what it has cost you to preserve or defend your title or rights to it - for example, if you paid a call on shares.
You may need to reduce the cost base for a share or unit by the amount of any non-assessable payment you receive from the company or fund.
Debt
forgiveness
A debt is forgiven if you are freed from the obligation to pay it. A commercial debt that is forgiven may reduce your capital loss, your cost base or your reduced cost base.
Demerger
A demerger involves the restructuring of a corporate or trust group by splitting its operations into two or more entities or groups. Under a demerger the owners of the head entity of the group acquire a direct interest in an entity (demerged entity) that was formerly part of the group.
Demerger
rollover
This may apply to CGT events that happen on or after 1 July 2002 to interests that you own in the head entity of a demerger group where a company or trust is demerged from the group. Generally, the head entity undertaking the demerger will advise owners whether demerger rollover is available but you should seek our advice if you are in any doubt. The Tax Office may have provided advice in the form of a class ruling on a specific demerger, confirming that the rollover is available.
This rollover allows you to defer your CGT obligation until a later CGT event happens to your original or your new shares or units.
Demutualisation
A company demutualises when it changes its membership interests to shares. If you received shares as part of a demutualisation of an Australian insurance company (for example, AMP, IOOF or NRMA), you are not subject to capital gains tax until you sell the shares or another CGT event happens.
Usually the company will advise you of your cost base for the shares you received. The company may give you the choice of keeping the shares they have given you or of selling them and giving you the capital proceeds.
Depreciating
assets
A depreciating asset is an asset that has a limited effective life and can reasonably be expected to decline in value over the time it is used. Depreciating assets include items such as computers, tools, furniture and motor vehicles.
Land and items of trading stock are specifically excluded from the definition of depreciating asset, as are most intangible assets such as options, rights and goodwill.
Discount
method
The discount method is one of the ways to calculate your capital gain if:
- the CGT event happened after 11.45am (by legal time in the ACT) on 21 September 1999
- you acquired the asset at least 12 months before the CGT event.
If you use the discount method, you do not index the cost base but you may be able to reduce your capital gain by the CGT discount. However, you must first reduce your capital gains by the amount of any capital losses made in the year and any unapplied net capital losses from earlier years. You discount any remaining capital gain.
If you acquired the asset before 11.45am (by legal time in the ACT) on 21 September 1999, you may be able to choose either the discount method or the indexation method, whichever gives you the better result.
Discounted
capital gain
A discounted capital gain is a capital gain that has been reduced by the CGT discount. If you received the discounted capital gain from a managed fund you will need to gross up the amount before you apply any capital losses and then the CGT discount.
Dividend
reinvestment plans
Under these plans, shareholders can choose to have their dividend used to acquire additional shares in the company instead of receiving a cash payment. For CGT purposes, you are treated as if you received a cash dividend and then used it to buy additional shares. Each share (or parcel of shares) received in this way is treated as a separate asset when the shares are issued to you.
Dwelling
A dwelling is anything that is used wholly or mainly for residential accommodation. Examples of a dwelling are a home, an apartment, a strata title unit or a unit in a retirement village.
Employee
share schemes
If you acquired shares or rights at a discount under an employee share scheme and the scheme complies with the income tax rules for employee share schemes, you can choose when to include the amount of the discount in your assessable income on your tax return. There are special CGT rules relating to the calculation of the cost base of these shares or rights and, in some circumstances, you disregard a capital gain or capital loss you make.
Gross
up
Grossing up applies to unit holders who are entitled to a share of the fund's income that includes a capital gain reduced by the CGT discount. In this case, you 'gross up' your capital gain by multiplying by two your share of any discounted capital gain you have received from the fund. You may also have to gross up a capital gain that was reduced by the small business 50% active asset reduction.
Income
year
The income year is the financial year relating to your current income tax return.
Indexation
factor
The indexation factor is worked out based on the consumer price index (CPI) at
appendix 2
.
The indexation of the cost base of an asset is frozen as at 30 September 1999. For CGT events after that time the indexation factor is the CPI for the September 1999 quarter (123.4), divided by the CPI for the quarter in which you incurred costs relating to the asset. The result is rounded to three decimal places.
Indexation
method
The indexation method is one of the ways to calculate your capital gain if you bought a CGT asset before 11.45am (by legal time in the ACT) on 21 September 1999. This method allows you to increase the cost base by applying an indexation factor (based on increases in the consumer price index up to September 1999).
You cannot use the indexation method for:
- CGT assets bought after 11.45am (by legal time in the ACT) on 21 September 1999, or
- expenditure relating to a CGT asset acquired after that date.
For CGT events after 11.45am (by legal time in the ACT) on 21 September 1999 the discount method may give you the better result.
Legal personal
representative
A legal personal representative can be either:
- the executor of a deceased estate (that is, a person appointed to wind up the estate in accordance with the will), or
- an administrator appointed to wind up the estate if the person does not leave a will.
LIC capital
gain amount
This is an amount notionally included in a dividend from a listed investment company (LIC) which represents a capital gain made by that company. The amount is not included as a capital gain at item
17
on the tax return (supplementary section), or item
9
if you use the tax return for retirees. See page 55 for an example and the instructions for dividend income for question
11
in
TaxPack 2006
(or question
8
if you use
Retirees TaxPack 2006
).
Main
residence
Your main residence is your home - that is, the dwelling you regard as your main place of residence and nominate as such for any CGT concessions dealing with the disposal of a main residence. See
Is the dwelling your main residence
for more information.
Main
residence exemption
Generally, you can ignore a capital gain or capital loss from a CGT event that happens to a dwelling that is your main residence (also referred to as 'your home'). You may make a capital gain or capital loss if you have used your home to produce income, if it was not your home for the full period you owned it or if the land around your home is more than 2 hectares.
Managed
fund
A managed fund is a unit trust. The types of managed funds available include cash management trusts, fixed interest trusts, mortgage trusts, property trusts, equity trusts, international trusts and diversified trusts.
Market value
substitution rule for capital proceeds
In some cases, if you receive nothing in exchange for a CGT asset (for example, if you give it away as a gift) you are taken to have received the market value of the asset at the time of the CGT event. You may also be taken to have received the market value if your capital proceeds are more or less than the market value of the CGT asset, and you and the purchaser were not dealing with each other at arm's length in connection with the event.
You are said to be dealing at arm's length with someone if each party acts independently and neither party exercises influence or control over the other in connection with the transaction. The law looks at not only the relationship between the parties but also the quality of the bargaining between them.
Market value substitution rule for cost base and reduced cost base
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 and 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 previous owner in acquiring the asset.
Net
capital gain
A net capital gain is the difference between your total capital gains for the year and the total of your capital losses for the year and unapplied net capital losses from earlier years, less any CGT discount and small business CGT concessions to which you are entitled.
Net
capital loss
If your total capital losses for the year are more than your total capital gains, the difference is your net capital loss for the year. This loss can be carried forward and deducted from capital gains you make in later years. There is no time limit on how long you can carry forward a net capital loss.
Capital losses from collectables can only be used to reduce capital gains from collectables. If your total capital losses from collectables for the year are more than your total capital gains from collectables, you have a net capital loss from collectables for the year. This loss is carried forward and deducted from capital gains from collectables in later years. There is no time limit on how long you can carry forward a net capital loss from a collectable.
Non-
assessable payment
A non-assessable payment is a payment received from a company or fund that is not assessed as part of your income on your tax return.
This includes some distributions from unit trusts and managed funds and, less commonly, from companies.
'Other'
method
To calculate your capital gain using the 'other' method, you subtract your cost base from your capital proceeds. You must use this method for any shares or units you have bought and sold within 12 months (that is, when the indexation and discount methods do not apply).
Ownership
interest
You have an ownership interest if you own a dwelling or land and/or meet the conditions outlined in
What is an ownership interest
.
Post-
CGT
Acquired on or after 20 September 1985.
Pre-
CGT
Acquired before 20 September 1985. Assets acquired before this date are generally exempt from CGT. An exception is if CGT event K6 applies.
Prior year net
capital losses
See
Unapplied net capital losses from earlier years
.
Reduced cost
base
The reduced cost base is the amount you take into account when you are working out whether you have made a capital loss when a CGT event happens.
The reduced cost base may need to have amounts deducted from it such as non-assessable payments.
The reduced cost base does not include indexation or costs of owning the asset such as interest on monies borrowed to buy it.
Rollover
Rollover allows a capital gain to be deferred or disregarded until a later CGT event happens.
Scrip-for-
scrip rollover
Scrip-for-scrip rollover can apply to CGT events that happen on or after 10 December 1999 in the case of a takeover or merger of a company or fund in which you have holdings. The company or fund would usually advise you if the rollover conditions have been satisfied.
This rollover allows you to defer your CGT obligation until a later CGT event happens to your shares or units.
You may only be eligible for partial rollover if you received shares (or units) plus cash for your original shares. In that case, if the information provided by the company or fund is not sufficient for you to calculate your capital gain, you may need to seek advice from the Tax Office.
Share buy-
backs
If you disposed of shares back to a company under a buy-back arrangement, you may have made a capital gain or capital loss.
Some of the buy-back price may have been treated as a dividend for tax purposes. The time you make the capital gain or capital loss will depend on the conditions of the particular buy-back offer.
Small
business CGT concessions
There are four small business CGT concessions available if certain conditions are satisfied. They are:
- the small business 15-year exemption
- the small business 50% active asset reduction
- the small business retirement exemption, and
- the small business rollover.
These concessions apply to CGT events that happen after 11.45am (by legal time in the ACT) on 21 September 1999. For information on these concessions, see the Guide to capital gains tax concessions for small business .
Takeovers and
mergers
If a company in which you held shares was taken over and you received new shares in the takeover company, you may be entitled to scrip-for-scrip rollover.
If the scrip-for-scrip conditions were not satisfied, your capital proceeds for your original shares will be the total of any cash and the market value of the new shares you received.
Tax-
advantaged entity
A tax-advantaged entity is a tax-exempt entity, or the trustee of:
- a complying superannuation fund
- a complying approved deposit fund, or
- a pooled superannuation fund.
Tax-deferred
amounts
These amounts include indexation allowed to a trust on its capital gains and accounting differences in income.
Tax-
exempted amounts
These amounts are generally made up of exempt income and non-assessable non-exempt income of the trust, amounts on which the trust has already paid tax or income you had to repay to the trust. Tax-exempted amounts do not affect your cost base or your reduced cost base.
Tax-
free amounts
These amounts arise where certain tax concessions allowed to the trust enable it to pay greater distributions to its beneficiaries.
Unapplied net capital
losses from earlier years
This is the amount of net capital losses from earlier years remaining after you have deducted any capital gains made between the year(s) when the losses were made and the current year.
You use unapplied net capital losses from earlier years to reduce capital gains in the current year (after those capital gains have been reduced by any capital losses in the current year).
You can only use unapplied net capital losses from collectables from earlier years to reduce capital gains from collectables in the current and future years.
Unit
trust
A unit trust is a trust or fund that is divided into units representing capital and income entitlements. Units may be traded or redeemed (including the switching and transferring of units). A managed fund is a type of unit trust.
ATO references:
NO NAT 4151
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