- The ATO says there is no formal admissions board in Australia for business valuers.
- Its guidance says acceptability usually depends on the valuation process followed rather than who conducted it.
- The ATO considers a report by a suitably qualified professional, following accepted standards, more reliable.
- Doing your own valuation, or using someone without adequate qualifications, risks interest and penalties.
- Look for business valuation experience, independence, a fixed fee not linked to the result, and a signed report.
No formal admissions board
Property valuation in Australia is regulated in some states. Business valuation is not. The ATO's own guidance says there is no formal admissions board in Australia for business valuers.
That means there is no single badge to look for. It also means the quality of the work matters more than a title.
What the ATO looks at
The ATO's guidance on market valuation for tax purposes makes several points that help when choosing a valuer.
Process over identity. For tax purposes, the acceptability of a valuation usually depends on the valuation process followed rather than who conducted it. The exceptions the ATO gives as examples sit in other areas, such as the GST margin scheme.
Qualified professionals are seen as more reliable. The ATO says a report by a suitably qualified professional, following commonly accepted industry standards and professional codes of conduct, generally contains enough evidence and reasoning to be tested or replicated, and is considered more reliable.
Skill and experience in the asset. A reasonable estimate of market value takes skill, knowledge and experience. The ATO suggests checking that the valuer has experience and knowledge of the type of asset being valued. Valuing a private business is a different skill from valuing a house.
The onus stays with you. If the ATO reviews a valuation, the onus of providing a replicable and defensible valuation stays with the taxpayer, even when a professional is engaged. You are expected to make sure the valuer is suitably knowledgeable, properly instructed, objective, not obstructed, and supports the value with credible evidence.
The ATO decides for itself whether to accept a valuation. No valuer can promise acceptance.
Penalties in general terms
The ATO warns that if you do your own valuation, or use valuations from people without adequate qualifications, you risk reporting your tax incorrectly and may be liable to interest and penalties.
Using a professional does not remove every risk. The ATO's guidance says penalties can still apply where you did not give the valuer the correct information, where you or your agent should reasonably have known the value was wrong, or where the valuation rests on an unsettled reading of the law or unclear facts. Giving the valuer complete, accurate information is your part of the job.
What to look for
When choosing a business valuer for CGT, ask:
- Business valuation experience. Do they value private businesses, shares and units, not just property or equipment?
- Independence. Do they have any relationship with you, the business, or anyone on the other side of the transaction? The report should declare it.
- A fee that does not depend on the result. The ATO says a valuation is better supported where the fee does not depend on the outcome. A fixed fee agreed upfront meets that.
- A written scope. Is the asset, the interest, the date and the purpose confirmed in writing before work starts?
- Recognised standards. Do they follow recognised valuation guidelines? APES 225 Valuation Services is the guidelines we follow.
- A method with a cross-check. The ATO recommends a second method, where possible, to test the main one.
- A signed report. Will the valuer responsible sign the report, with their identity, a statement of independence and the issue date?
Why a signed report matters
A signed report shows a named valuer took responsibility for the conclusion. The ATO expects a valuation report to include the valuer's identity, status and qualifications, a declaration of independence, and the date the report is issued. A spreadsheet or an unsigned estimate does not carry that weight. Your accountant also needs a document they can keep on file and rely on.
Every CGT valuation we deliver is a Professional Valuation Report, signed by the valuer responsible: a suitably qualified business valuer.
Can your accountant do it?
Sometimes. It depends on their valuation experience, their independence, and the size and complexity of the matter. Many accountants prefer to keep the roles apart: they advise on the tax, and an independent valuer sets the value. That split can make both pieces of work easier to support. See our page for accountants.
What the valuation report covers for this purpose
- the purpose, including the CGT rule the valuation is for
- the asset or interest, the owner and the date
- market value as the standard of value, the method and a cross-check
- the information relied on and its source, assumptions and limitations
- the valuer's identity, independence declaration, signature and issue date
What we need from you
- what is valued, at which date, and for which CGT purpose
- financial statements and ownership documents
- full and accurate answers to our questions, including anything that could affect value
Get a fixed fee
Our fee is fixed by the business's annual revenue, from $1,495 + GST for revenue under $1 million, and confirmed in writing before you pay. See how it works or choose your revenue band below.
General information only, current at 10 November 2026. We value businesses and business interests; we do not give tax advice. Your accountant or tax adviser decides whether a rule applies to you.