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david404(Newbie)Newbie
1 Sept 2023

Hi, I know from the ATO website, trading cards are not mentioned as a collectable, but was wondering if anyone has ever found out if ATO would treat them as a collectable.


I am also curious on the if acquired at $500 or more rule. I bought 10 boxes of Pokemon cards at $250 per box. $2500 in total. I do plan on treating this as an investment to sell the boxes individually later after they go up in value. Since I purchased these boxes at under $500 individually, would they all not be subject to capital gains or losses if I was to sell them individually?

6,539 views
1 replies
6,539 views
1 replies

Most helpful response

Most helpful reply

DanielleATO(Community Support)Community Support
3 Sept 2023

Hi @david404,


Yes, Pokémon trading cards are getting very popular again.


If you have determined the trading cards to be a collectable. Which by definition of the Pokémon trading cards, are meant to be collectables.


A collectable is subject to CGT unless:

  • you acquired the collectable for $500 or less.
  • you acquired a share in the collectable for $500 or less before 16 December 1995.
  • you acquired a share in the collectable when the collectable had a market value of $500 or less.

If you were looking at the capital gain or losses when selling them individually. You would disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from a collectable if the above are met.

All replies

Most helpful reply

DanielleATO(Community Support)Community Support
3 Sept 2023

Hi @david404,


Yes, Pokémon trading cards are getting very popular again.


If you have determined the trading cards to be a collectable. Which by definition of the Pokémon trading cards, are meant to be collectables.


A collectable is subject to CGT unless:

  • you acquired the collectable for $500 or less.
  • you acquired a share in the collectable for $500 or less before 16 December 1995.
  • you acquired a share in the collectable when the collectable had a market value of $500 or less.

If you were looking at the capital gain or losses when selling them individually. You would disregard any capital gain or capital loss you make from a collectable if the above are met.

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Pokemon Trading Cards - are they classified as a collectables and subject to CGT Discount? | ATO Community