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Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Calculator

Estimate the impact of the proposed NZ CGT (28% from July 2027 if Labour wins). Covers investment property, shares, and business assets. Educational only.

Data stays on your deviceIRD sourced data

Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results should not be relied upon as professional financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds are based on publicly available IRD data and may change. Always consult a qualified tax agent or financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does New Zealand have a capital gains tax in 2026?
No, New Zealand currently has no comprehensive capital gains tax in 2026. NZ is one of the few OECD countries without a general CGT. However, certain capital gains are already taxed: the bright-line test catches residential property sold within 2 years of purchase, and dealers in property or shares may be taxed on gains as ordinary income. The Labour Party has proposed introducing a 28% CGT from 1 July 2027 if elected at the 2026 election. Source: IRD — Property Tax.
What would Labour’s proposed 28% CGT cover?
Under the Labour 2026 proposal, a 28% capital gains tax would apply to profits from selling investment properties (residential and commercial), business assets, and likely shares held outside the family home. The family home would be excluded. The proposed start date is 1 July 2027, with gains accruing from that date forward (a "valuation day" approach — you only pay CGT on the portion of the gain that occurs after 1 July 2027, not historical gains). Source: NZ Labour Party policy.
How is the bright-line test different from CGT?
The bright-line test is a narrowly-targeted property rule, not a comprehensive CGT. It taxes the full gain on residential property sold within 2 years of purchase (down from 10 years in 2024) at your marginal income tax rate (up to 39%). It only applies to residential property, has many exemptions (main home, inheritance, relationship splits), and is not a separate tax — it is treated as ordinary income. A CGT, by contrast, would be a separate tax at a flat rate covering many asset classes. Source: IRD — Bright-line Property Rule.

New Zealand currently has no comprehensive Capital Gains Tax (CGT). However, the Labour Party has proposed introducing a 28% CGT on profits from selling investment property and certain other assets, taking effect from 1 July 2027 if Labour wins the 2026 election. This calculator estimates what your tax bill would look like under that proposed regime. It is educational — not yet law.

How this calculator works

Enter the asset purchase price, sale price, and date acquired. The calculator works out the gain (sale - purchase - allowable costs), then applies the proposed 28% rate to the portion of the gain attributable to the period after 1 July 2027 (the proposed start date). The family home is excluded under the current proposal.

Proposed NZ CGT (Labour 2026 policy)

Rate28% (flat)
Start date1 July 2027 (proposed)
Family homeExcluded
Investment propertyIncluded
Business assets on saleIncluded
Shares held personallyIncluded (not yet confirmed)

This is a proposed policy only — it is not law as of April 2026. Always check the latest IRD guidance.

Worked Examples

Investment property bought 2020 for $500k, sold July 2030 for $800k

Approx CGT: $24,000 (28% of gain attributable to post-2027 period)

  1. Total gain: $800,000 - $500,000 = $300,000
  2. Years held post-1 July 2027: 3 of 10 years total = 30% of gain
  3. Taxable gain: $300,000 × 30% = $90,000
  4. CGT: $90,000 × 28% = $25,200
  5. Note: bright-line test may also apply if held under 2 years (separate rules).

Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the IRD and official New Zealand government sources.

Last updated:

Official Sources

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