Can you value shares in a private company?

What we can value

• All of the shares: the whole company is changing hands, or the owners want a value for the full equity.
• One holder’s parcel: a 30% stake for a departing director, or shares moving to a family trust.
• One class of shares: ordinary, non-voting, preference or discretionary dividend shares, each valued on its own rights.
• Several holders in one company: each parcel valued from the same analysis of the business.

The company can run a trading business or hold investments. Where it owns land or buildings, we rely on a property valuer’s figure for that asset.

Why 30% of the shares is not always 30% of the value

We value the business, adjust for surplus cash, debt and shareholder loans to reach the equity, then value your parcel. Three things drive that last step.

• Control. A parcel with the votes to appoint the board usually decides who runs the company and whether dividends are paid. A buyer of a parcel without that power may pay less per share.
• The share class. Its votes, dividend rights and return of capital on a winding up set its value.
• The agreements. A shareholders agreement may fix the basis, such as fair value pro rata with no discount. We value on that basis; your lawyer interprets the wording.

Our pages on private company share valuations and valuing a minority interest go deeper.

Shares and 30 June 2027

If you hold shares personally or through a trust, the CGT transitional rule may treat you as having sold and reacquired them at market value just before 1 July 2027, so their value at 30 June 2027 can matter when you sell. A company holding shares is generally outside that rule, unless it acquired the shares before 20 September 1985: those pre-CGT shares are reset at market value just before 1 July 2027, whoever holds them.

A valuation is not legally required: some taxpayers may be able to use an apportioning method instead, once it is finalised (it was still a draft in October 2026). Your tax adviser decides. A valuation as at 30 June 2027 is prepared after that date, once your records to 30 June 2027 are available. You can book your place now.

The fee and what sits outside it

A full valuation report on one shareholding, in a company with turnover under $2 million or $2 million to $10 million, is a fixed $999 + GST. The fixed fee applies once we confirm the interest, purpose, structure and records fit the fixed-fee scope. Anything outside it is quoted in writing before we start. Each extra parcel or class in the same company is $795 + GST.

Delivery is 2 business days for turnover under $2 million and 3 business days for $2 million to $10 million. Delivery time starts once payment and all required information have been received, and pauses while we wait for answers to our questions or your signed representation letter.

Holding company groups and shareholder disputes heading to court are quoted in writing. Family law matters go through our dedicated family law practice, Family Law Valuations. Bring the share register, constitution, any shareholders agreement and three years of accounts.