03 March 2017

Tax can be taxing

Wills, Powers, Estates & Family Provision Claims
Federal

Asked

On a transfer of the deceased estate property to beneficiaries:

1) if the deceased held a primary place of residence

2) if the deceased held an investment

is there capital gains tax on a sale by the beneficiaries in both the above cases?

If yes, when is the cost base value of the property?

Thanks.

Answered

Thanks for the question.

The following is an excerpt from our Probate commentary on estate taxes:

A change of ownership due to death is not normally a capital gains tax event. The move of the asset to the beneficiary through the personal representative is not a disposal. The gain or loss is taxable when next disposed of. The inheritance and postponement of tax can take place several times.

...

Assets purchased before 20 September 1985 are subject to capital gains tax in the hands of the beneficiaries from the date of death onwards. Assets purchased after 20 September 1985 are subject to capital gains tax in the hands of beneficiaries from the date of the cost base forwards. This means CGT accrues from those dates and becomes payable on the next sale.

The main residence does not attract capital gains tax until two years after the date of death, assuming a beneficiary or purchaser does not continue the main residence exemption.

Regards

Mentor