What the Budget means for you
Choose the situation that best fits you and read the practical implications. Most clients will find more than one page relevant — for example, an SMSF member who also owns a rental property should read both. Each page covers what’s changing, when it takes effect, who is affected and what to consider doing next — and marks whether each measure is settled law or still a proposal.
Where things stand at 28 August 2026. The core package — the CGT changes, the negative gearing restriction and the personal tax cuts — became law on 26 June 2026 and is no longer a proposal. The instant asset write-off and company loss carry-back passed both Houses on 19 August 2026 and await Royal Assent. The discretionary trust minimum tax, the definition of a “new build”, the R&D changes and several others are still consultation papers or announcements, and may change or not proceed. Each page marks the status of every measure individually — so you never have to guess. Where a decision matters to your circumstances, book an appointment and we’ll model the numbers for you.
Choose your situation
Seven short pages covering the major Budget changes and the practical impact for each of our main client situations. The tag on each card tells you how settled the main measures on that page are.
I earn a wage or salary
All settled. The rate cut on the $18,201–$45,000 bracket, the $1,000 instant work expense deduction from 2026–27, and the $250 Working Australians Tax Offset are law. Donations and union fees stay claimable on top.
Read about employee changesI own (or am buying) an investment property
If you held the property at 7:30pm on 12 May 2026 — including under an unsettled contract — you are grandfathered and the existing negative gearing rules continue. The restriction applies to established residential property acquired after that moment, with losses quarantined from 1 July 2027.
Read about property changesI hold shares or other investments
Law from 1 July 2027. The 50% CGT discount is replaced with CPI indexation and a 30% minimum tax on gains. Gains accrued to 1 July 2027 keep the existing rules — which makes evidence of market value at that date important.
Read about CGT & share changesI run a business through a trust
A proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts from 1 July 2028. Treasury released a consultation paper on 8 July 2026 and no bill has been introduced. The paper flags a possible double tax on corporate beneficiaries — a reason to wait, not to rush.
Read about trust changesI run a small business (other structures)
The permanent $20,000 instant asset write-off and company loss carry-back passed Parliament on 19 August 2026. The small business 50% CGT reduction opens to $10M turnover from 1 July 2027 — that part is law. The R&D, PAYG and EV FBT changes are announcements only.
Read about small business changesI have a Self-Managed Super Fund
SMSFs can no longer borrow to buy residential property. New borrowing is limited to business real property from 10 August 2026; existing loans are grandfathered. Division 296 has also commenced — the first affected year is 2026–27, assessed on your balance at 30 June 2027.
Read about SMSF changesI'm retired or close to it
The private health insurance rebate cut for over-65s is a bill before Parliament, not law, and would start 1 April 2027. The CGT changes and Division 296 are law.
Read about retirement changesWant the numbers run for your situation?
These pages are general information for our client base. If you'd like us to look at the specific impact for your structure, income, property holdings or super, that's a conversation we'd rather have than a page we can write.