The Federal Budget was released on Tuesday night and we’ve summed up all the important topics for you! We think the below highlights will have the biggest impact for our clients.
There are a lot of new measures announced in this budget and we appreciate your patience as we learn the finer details of how they will be applied by the ATO.
Replacing the 50% CGT discount with indexation
From 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount will be replaced by cost base indexation for assets held for more than 12 months, with a 30% minimum tax on net capital gains. These changes will apply to all assets, including pre-CGT assets, held by individuals, trusts and partnerships.
Transitional arrangements will limit the impact on existing investments by ensuring the changes only apply to gains accruing on or after 1 July 2027. The 50% CGT discount will continue to apply to gains that accrued before 1 July 2027.
Capital gains on pre-CGT assets that accrued before 1 July 2027 will remain exempt from CGT. Furthermore, investors in new residential properties will be able to choose either:
• the 50% CGT discount; or
• cost base indexation and the 30% minimum tax.
Income support payment recipients, including Age Pension recipients, will be exempt from the minimum tax.
Assets that are sold prior to 1 July 2027 will continue to be subject to the existing rules.
Negative gearing for residential property investments
From 1 July 2027, losses from established residential properties will only be deductible against rental income or the capital gains from residential properties. Excess losses will be carried forward and are able to be offset against residential property income in future years. These changes will apply to established residential properties acquired from 7:30 PM (AEST) on 12 May 2026.
Properties acquired prior to this time (including contracts entered into but not yet settled) will be exempt from the changes until disposal. Eligible new builds will be exempt from the changes. Properties in superannuation funds and widely held trusts will be excluded, alongside targeted exemptions for build-to-rent developments and private investors supporting government housing programs.
Taxation of discretionary trusts
The Government will introduce a minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts. From 1 July 2028 (i.e., from the 2029 income year), trustees will pay a minimum tax of 30% on the taxable income of discretionary trusts.
Beneficiaries, other than corporate beneficiaries, will receive non-refundable credits for the tax payable by the trustee. Under the minimum tax, corporate beneficiaries will be assessed based on the trust income to which they are entitled, without being able to claim credits for tax payable by the trustee. The minimum tax will not apply to other types of trusts such as fixed trusts, fixed testamentary trusts, complying superannuation funds, special disability trusts and deceased estates.
Some types of income such as primary production income, certain income relating to vulnerable minors, amounts to which non-resident withholding tax applies, and income from assets of discretionary testamentary trusts existing at announcement will also be excluded.
The Government will provide expanded rollover relief for three years from 1 July 2027 for small businesses and others that wish to restructure out of discretionary trusts into another type of entity, such as a company or fixed trust.
Working Australians Tax Offset
The Government will introduce a $250 Working Australians Tax Offset with effect from the 2028 income year. This new offset will provide a permanent annual tax offset for Australians for their income derived from work such as salary and wages and the business income of sole traders.
$1,000 Standard Deduction for Work-related Expenses
The Government will introduce a standard tax deduction of up to $1,000 for work-related expenses from the 2027 income year. Draft legislation and explanatory materials have been released for consultation regarding this measure. The Draft Bill proposes to amend the tax law to introduce a standard deduction of up to $1,000 for Australian tax residents who earn income from work, starting 1 July 2026.
Such taxpayers will not need to itemise or substantiate work-related expenses if they are claiming no more than $1,000. Individuals who incur work-related expenses greater than the $1,000 maximum standard deduction can continue to claim their deduction in the usual way. Charitable donations, union and professional association membership fees and other non-workrelated deductions can still be itemised separately and claimed on top of the standard deduction.
Tax cuts in 2027 and 2028
The Budget referenced the Government’s previously announced tax cuts (which have already been legislated), as follows:
• The (current) 16% tax rate will be reduced to 15% from 1 July 2026.
• The 15% tax rate will be further reduced to 14% from 1 July 2027.
For reference, the personal income tax rates for the 2026 income year are set out in the following table, along with the tax rates for the 2027 and 2028 income years:
| Thresholds | 2026 income years |
2027 2028 income year income year |
|
| $0 – $18,200 | Tax-free | Tax-free | Tax-free |
| $18,201 – $45,000 | 16% | 15% | 14% |
| $45,001 – $135,000 | 30% | 30% | 30% |
| $135,001 – $190,000 | 37% | 37% | 37% |
| $190,001+ | 45% | 45% | 45% |
As an example, a taxpayer earning between $18,201 and $45,000 will get a tax cut of up to $268 in the 2027 income year and up to $536 from the 2028 income year.
Read the full budget lowdown
The above highlights from the Budget are our top picks we feel will most impact our clients. You can see our full 2026/27 Budget highlights that may impact your or your business here. Download now to find out more!
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