TAX ESSENTIALS FOR STOCKS/ETFS • STEP 3 OF 4
Try It: Stock Tax Calculators
In investing, what is comfortable is rarely profitable.
— Robert Arnott
Use our interactive calculators to calculate franking credits and optimize CGT timing for your stocks and ETFs.
Your Learning Journey
Your Learning Journey
This Step Takes: 20 minutes
Use two calculators to estimate your franking credit benefit and optimize CGT timing decisions.
What You'll Do
Get personalized estimates for your stock tax situation. Discover how much franking credits are worth to you and whether selling now or waiting for CGT discount makes sense.
Calculate your franking credits and optimize CGT timing.
Franking Credit Calculator
Calculate your exact franking credit benefit based on your dividends and income.
Your Details
The cash dividend you actually received
Check your dividend statement for franking %
Your salary + other taxable income (excluding dividends)
Your Results
Enter your details and click "Calculate" to see your franking credit benefit
Where to Find Franking Percentage
CGT Timing Optimizer
Should you sell now or wait for the 50% CGT discount? Let's find out.
Investment Details
When you bought the shares/ETFs
Original cost including brokerage
What it's worth if you sell today
Your prediction (conservative estimate recommended)
Your salary + other income (excluding this sale)
Scenario Comparison
Enter your details and click "Compare" to see if waiting is worth it
The One-Day Rule Matters
Key Takeaways
Franking = Free Money
Timing Is Everything
Track Your Dates
💡Pro Tip: Parcel Selection
When you sell shares, you can choose which "parcel" (batch) you're selling:
- FIFO (First In First Out): Sell oldest shares first—usually best for CGT discount
- LIFO (Last In First Out): Sell newest shares first—might avoid CGT if within 12 months
- Minimize Capital Gain: Sell parcels with highest cost base to reduce gain
- Maximize Capital Loss: Sell parcels with lowest cost base if harvesting losses
Your broker lets you specify which parcel when selling. Default is usually FIFO, but you can change it!
Tax-101 for Stocks - Try It: Complete
- Franking credits can turn a tax bill into a refund if your rate is below 30%—huge for retirees and part-time workers
- The 50% CGT discount is worth waiting for—just one extra month can save thousands in tax
- Track purchase dates for every parcel and use parcel selection when selling to optimize your CGT outcome
Homework
Based on the calculators, what's your biggest tax-saving opportunity? Franking credits or CGT timing?
Create a spreadsheet today with columns: Stock, Purchase Date, Quantity, Cost Base. Update it every time you buy shares. This makes tax time easy and ensures you never miss the CGT discount.
What's Next?
5 minutes