FiscalFox editorial team · Product lead: Grant Sloane · Updated
Calculate Australian CGTIdentify the parcels behind a partial sale
Record the quantity, acquisition date and cost base of every purchase. If your records identify the disposed shares, use that identification. Otherwise keep a clear record of the parcel selection used for your calculation.
Different purchase dates cannot generally be merged into one average cost. The ATO’s limited same-day averaging concession requires identical rights.
Compare both the gain and discount eligibility
A newer, higher-cost parcel can produce a smaller gain but miss the 12-month discount. Compare the final annual calculation, including losses, before choosing a parcel. The example below compares two possible documented selections for the same sale.
Use the account and transfer evidence
FiscalFox defaults to the oldest available parcels in the selling account and allows an explicit parcel choice. If shares moved between accounts, preserve the transfer trail and original acquisition records. A matching ticker elsewhere is not evidence of a transfer.
Sources: ATO: Keeping good investment records
Worked example: two possible parcel selections
Synthetic sale of 100 shares for $5,000 on 1 September 2025. Both purchases are available in the same account; no fees or losses.
| Calculation | AUD or result |
|---|---|
| Older parcel: 100 bought 10 January 2021 | $1,000 cost |
| Newer parcel: 100 bought 10 January 2025 | $4,500 cost |
| FIFO: $4,000 gain, then 50% discount | $2,000 net gain |
| Choose newer parcel: $500 gain, no discount | $500 net gain |
Questions and answers
Is FIFO compulsory for Australian share CGT?
No. The ATO permits identification or a documented selection where the shares are not individually distinguishable. FIFO is one available method.
Can I just use the average price in my broker app?
A portfolio average can combine acquisitions with different dates and omit adjustments. Use the cost of the identified parcels and the ATO’s limited same-day averaging rules where applicable.
Official sources
Sources reviewed . Export steps describe FiscalFox’s supported file. Broker help links explain the available reports; menu names can vary by account and platform.
ATO: Identifying shares or units sold