Guides
Investing and tax, in plain English
How tax works on shares, ETFs, dividends and crypto in Australia, and how to keep track of it all. Each guide is checked against the ATO and dated.
Capital gains tax
- Capital gains tax on shares in AustraliaWhen you pay tax on selling shares or ETFs, how the gain is worked out, and what to do with a loss.Last checked 11 October 2026
- The 50% CGT discount and the 12-month ruleWho gets the discount, how to count the 12 months, and why losses come off first.Last checked 11 October 2026
- Cost base of shares: brokerage and what to includeWhat goes into the cost of your shares, brokerage included, and which shares count as sold.Last checked 11 October 2026
- Crypto tax in AustraliaWhich crypto transactions are taxed, staking rewards, airdrops and the 12-month discount.Last checked 11 October 2026
- Capital gains tax changes from 1 July 2027The 50% discount is replaced for growth after 1 July 2027. What that means for shares you own now.Last checked 12 October 2026
- Tax-loss selling before 30 June, and wash salesSelling at a loss before 30 June, what the loss is worth, and the buy-back the ATO refuses.Last checked 28 October 2026
ETFs, dividends and franking
- How ETFs are taxed in AustraliaDistributions, the annual tax statement, cost base changes, and selling units.Last checked 28 October 2026
- Franking credits explainedWhat franking credits are, how a dividend is grossed up, refunds, and the 45-day rule.Last checked 28 October 2026
- Dividend reinvestment plans and taxWhy a reinvested dividend is still income, and the records each new purchase needs.Last checked 28 October 2026
Tracking your investments
- How to track your share portfolio in AustraliaThe records to keep, a spreadsheet or a tracker, and the figures worth watching.Last checked 28 October 2026
- Investing with more than one brokerHINs and custodians, moving shares between brokers, and one set of records at tax time.Last checked 28 October 2026
- How to measure your portfolio's returnSimple gain, total return, yearly returns that allow for money added, and a fair benchmark.Last checked 28 October 2026
Free calculators and help
- Capital gains tax calculatorWork out the gain on one sale of shares or ETFs, with brokerage and the 12-month discount. Free, and nothing is saved.Tool
- Dividend calculatorEstimate dividend income over up to 30 years in Australian dollars, with a DRP and franking credits. Free, and nothing is saved.Tool
- Using Portfoli.auStep-by-step help: importing trades, email import of contract notes, dividends, capital gains and the tax-time pack.Help
General information only. Portfoli.au isn't a registered tax agent. Check with one before you act.