The deregistration (as distinct from the delisting) of a company is the final act. The company is removed from the official records as a registered company. It no longer exists. Shares have no value.

Deregistration is recognized as a Capital Gains Tax Event and when it happens, shareholders can crystallise a capital loss for tax purposes (providing of course the shares were acquired on or after 20 September 1985, which is when capital gains tax was first introduced). The claim for a capital loss does not need to be substantiated with documentation, shareholders just need to know the company is deregistered.

Shareholders should also be aware that an administrator's or liquidator's declaration (that there will be no distribution to shareholders) is often made before deregistration. If you choose to make the capital loss in the income year the administrator or liquidator declares the shares worthless, the loss can't be claimed again when the company is deregistered!

If you don’t choose to make the capital loss in the income year the administrator or liquidator declares the shares worthless, you won’t make a capital loss until the shares are disposed of or the company is deregistered.

We carry the details of about 700 deregistered companies and update the list in March of each year (because of its relevance for tax purposes). You can search on the company name or ASX code above to find whether your company is deregistered or not, or you can click on the button below to see a list of deregistered companies: