Splitting a Share Sale Across 30 June: How Much CGT It Can Save
A $60,000 gain sold in one tax year vs two at four income levels, and when spreading a sale helps most.
By the MoneyBackKit AU team · Updated 28 October 2026 · 2 min read
A capital gain is added to your income in the tax year you sign the sale contract. If you're selling a large holding of shares or ETFs, splitting the sale across 30 June can keep more of the gain in lower tax brackets.
A $60,000 gain, sold at once or in two halves
| Other income each year | All in one year | Half in June, half in July | Tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $9,425 | $8,900 | $525 |
| $90,000 | $9,600 | $9,600 | $0 |
| $120,000 | $10,650 | $9,600 | $1,050 |
| $150,000 | $11,700 | $11,700 | $0 |
If the whole taxable gain stays inside one bracket, as at $90,000 and $150,000 here, splitting saves nothing. It pays when the gain would cross a bracket line, as at $40,000 and $120,000.
When splitting helps most
- When the gain would push you across a bracket line, such as $45,000, $135,000 or $190,000.
- When next year's income will be lower: parental leave, a career break, or retirement.
- When you also have capital losses to use: losses are taken off gains in the same year first.
It doesn't work for a single asset like an investment property: that's one sale, taxed in the year of the contract.
Capital Gains Tax Calculator Australia 2026-27Compare the tax on a sale in one year or two.