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Tax on Selling Gold in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's capital gains tax applies to investment assets: land and buildings, shares and other securities and interests in them. Physical gold isn't on that list, so an individual who sells personal gold or jewellery at a gain pays no CGT. Buying and selling gold as a business is taxed as business income.

Facts checked 30 October 2026 · Not financial, legal or tax advice

At a glance

What you sellHow the gain is taxedNotes
Gold bars, coins and jewellery you own personallyNot taxed: gold isn't a capital asset for CGT.The law has no gold-specific rule.
Gold bought and sold as a tradeBusiness income at progressive rates.
SilverSame as gold.
For comparison: land, buildings, unlisted sharesCGT at 15% for individuals (10% before 3 June 2026).Listed shares on the Colombo Stock Exchange are exempt.

How gold gains are taxed

  • Under the Inland Revenue Act 2017, CGT is charged on gains from realising an investment asset, a capital asset held as an investment. A capital asset is land or buildings, a membership interest in a company, partnership or trust, a security or other financial asset, or an option or right over one of these.
  • Physical gold, silver and jewellery don't fall into any of those categories, so a private sale isn't a CGT event.
  • If you buy and sell gold regularly to make a profit, the Inland Revenue Department can treat it as a business, and the profit is taxed with your other income at progressive rates.
  • 2026 change: the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act No. 11 of 2026, certified on 3 June 2026, raised CGT for individuals and partnerships from 10% to 15%. It didn't add gold to the assets covered.

Reporting

  • Nothing to report for a private sale of personal gold.
  • For assets that are within CGT, the return and payment are due within 30 days after the end of the month of sale.

Losses

  • A loss on personal gold gets no tax relief.
  • Even within CGT, a loss on one investment asset can't be set against a gain on another.
The Inland Revenue Department hasn't published guidance on gold. These points rest on the definition of capital asset as summarised by Sri Lankan law firms and commentators. The 2026 amendment also stopped gains on personal motor vehicles being taxed as "other income", which shows the department has sometimes taxed personal-asset gains outside CGT; if you sell large amounts, check with an adviser.
Tax on selling gold in other countries: United States · Canada · Mexico · Brazil · United Kingdom · Ireland · Germany · France · Italy · Switzerland · Turkey · UAE · Saudi Arabia · Kuwait · Qatar · Egypt · South Africa · India · Pakistan · Bangladesh · Nepal · Singapore · Malaysia · Hong Kong · Thailand · Vietnam · Indonesia · Philippines · Japan · South Korea · Australia · New Zealand · all countries
See also: Gold price in Sri Lanka · Gold sell-back calculator · Selling gold by country

Tax on Selling Gold in Sri Lanka: FAQ

Is there capital gains tax on gold in Sri Lanka?

No, for individuals selling their own gold. CGT covers land, buildings, shares and other securities, and gold isn't one of them. Gold traded as a business is taxed as business income.

What is the capital gains tax rate in Sri Lanka in 2026?

15% for individuals and partnerships from 3 June 2026, up from 10%. It applies to investment assets such as land and unlisted shares, not physical gold.

Sources (5)

General information about the rules for individual investors, checked October 2026. Tax depends on your circumstances and residence; check with the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.