Investing in shares in Australia brings attractive returns, but also some tax considerations you should know. When you receive a dividend, you don’t just collect cash; you also get a franking credit, which represents tax already paid by the company. This credit reduces your taxable income, and if you’re in a lower Australian tax bracket, you could even get a refund.
If you sell your shares, any profit, or capital gain, is taxable too. Fortunately, if you’ve held those shares for over a year, you qualify for a 50% discount on capital gains tax in Australia. On the flip side, capital losses can be used to offset future gains.
Whether you're an Australian resident, non-resident, or investing through your self-managed super fund (SMSF), the rules differ. This guide to taxes on shares breaks down how each works and answers common questions like how to calculate capital gains tax so you can keep more of your earnings and invest with confidence.
When you invest in shares in Australia, two main types of tax come into play: tax on dividends and capital gains tax (CGT).
Companies in Australia generally pay a corporate tax rate of 30% (or 25% for smaller entities). When they issue franked dividends, they pass on a "franking credit" (imputation credit), reflecting tax already paid. Shareholders include both the cash dividend and the franking credit in their assessable income, which is then offset against their personal tax liability.
When you sell shares for more than their cost, you realise a capital gain. This gain is taxed at your marginal income tax rate (based on Australian taxation brackets).
The 50% Discount: Holding shares longer than 12 months qualifies for a 50% CGT discount, meaning only half your gain is included in your assessable income.
Capital Losses: If you incur a capital loss, it can't offset your regular job income (salary) but can be carried forward indefinitely to reduce future capital gains.
Your tax treatment depends on your activity:
Investor: You buy shares for long term growth and dividends. CGT rules apply on sale.
Trader: You buy and sell frequently for short-term profit. Share dealings are treated as business income; profits are taxed directly as ordinary income, and losses are deductible immediately (no CGT discount applies).
Understanding how much capital gains you will pay is crucial for planning. A CGT event occurs when you dispose of shares through sale, transfer, or gifting.
Capital gain = Sale proceeds minus the "cost base" (purchase price + brokerage fees).
Capital loss = Cost base minus sale proceeds.
Total all capital gains for the financial year.
Subtract capital losses (current year or carried forward).
Apply the Discount: If you held the shares for 12+ months, reduce the remaining net gain by 50%. (Note: SMSFs get a 33.33% discount; companies get 0%).
Add to Income: The final amount is added to your assessable income and taxed at your marginal rate.
Example: You sell bank shares bought for $2,000 after 18 months for $3,500. You also have a $500 loss from selling a speculative mining stock.
Gross gain: $1,500 ($3,500 - $2,000)
Net gain: $1,000 ($1,500 gain - $500 loss)
Taxable gain: $500 (after 50% discount). This $500 is added to your income tax return.
Wash-Sale Avoidance: The ATO actively monitors "wash sales" selling shares at a loss to claim a tax deduction and quickly repurchasing the same asset. This is considered tax avoidance. To stay compliant, ensure there's genuine commercial intent behind any repurchase.
Australian-resident shareholders must “gross up” the dividend by adding the franking credit when declaring income. Then, that franking credit is used as a tax offset.
Tax Refund: If your total tax liability is lower than the credit (e.g., for retirees or low-income earners), you can receive a cash refund from the ATO.
Holding Period Rule: To claim franking credits, you must hold shares "at risk" for at least 45 days (excluding purchase and sale dates). This prevents traders from buying stocks just for the dividend (dividend stripping). There is a small-shareholder exemption for those with total franking credits under $5,000 annually.
Fully franked: Company has paid full tax (30%) and passes the full credit. This is common with top dividend stocks like BHP or Telstra.
Partially franked: Only some tax paid, so only partial credits are passed.
Unfranked: No tax credit; you are taxed on the entire cash dividend.
Your residency status plays a key role in how your Australian share investments are taxed.
Dividends: Must declare global income. Eligible for franking credit offsets and refunds.
CGT: Pay CGT on worldwide assets (including shares), with access to the 50% discount.
Dividends: Do not include franking credits in income and cannot get refunds. Fully franked dividends are effectively tax-free (no withholding tax). Unfranked dividends are subject to withholding tax (usually 30% or 15% with a treaty).
CGT: Generally, non-residents do not pay CGT on ASX-listed shares, unless they hold a massive stake (10%+) in a "land-rich" company (like some REITs or mining firms).
Investing through a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) offers a highly tax-effective environment for share trading.
Tax Rate: Investment earnings (dividends, capital gains) are taxed at a flat 15%.
CGT Discount: If shares are held for >12 months, a 33% discount applies, reducing the effective tax rate on gains to 10%.
Franking Credits: Because the fund is taxed at 15% but receives franking credits at 30%, the excess credit often results in a refund to the SMSF, boosting cash flow.
Tax Rate: Earnings from assets supporting a pension are tax-exempt (0%).
Capital Gains: No tax on selling shares.
Franking Credits: Fully refundable. A $100 fully franked dividend results in ~$143 cash for the fund ($100 cash + $43 refund).
Recent Policy (Division 296): Starting July 1, 2026, a new tax may apply to unrealised gains for super balances over $3 million. This is a key consideration for high-net-worth investors.
Navigating the tax treatment of shares in Australia involves understanding how dividends, franking credits, and capital gains interact. Dividends can significantly reduce your tax bill through franking credits, provided you meet the 45-day rule. Capital gains are taxed at your marginal rate, but the 50% discount rewards long-term holding.
By applying these rules strategically such as holding assets in an SMSF or timing your sales to offset losses you can maximise your after-tax returns. Always keep comprehensive records of your buy/sell dates and costs to make tax time easier.
1. How do I calculate capital gains tax on shares? Subtract your cost base (purchase price + fees) from your sale price. If you held the shares for over 12 months, reduce the gain by 50%. Add the result to your taxable income.
2. What is the tax rate on dividends in Australia? Dividends are taxed at your marginal income tax rate. However, franking credits (tax already paid by the company) act as a tax offset, reducing what you owe or providing a refund.
3. Do I pay tax if I reinvest my dividends (DRP)? Yes. Even if you don't receive cash and participate in a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP), the ATO treats it as if you received the income and bought new shares. You must declare the dividend amount and any franking credits.
