Federal Budget 2026-27

What's Changing — At a Glance

Source: NTAA Federal Budget 2026-27 Summary Handout  |  Released 12 May 2026

Headline Numbers

30%
Min. tax on capital gains
30%
Min. tax on disc. trusts
$1,000
Standard work deduction
$250
Working Aussies offset
$20K
Instant asset write-off (perm.)
14%
Lowest tax rate by 2027

Key Commencement Dates

12 May 2026
Negative gearing changes apply to new property purchases (7:30 PM AEST)
1 Jul 2026
Tax rate drops to 15% · $20K write-off permanent · Loss carry back returns
1 Jul 2027
CGT reform · Negative gearing reform · Tax rate drops to 14%
1 Jul 2028
30% min. tax on discretionary trusts · Working Aussies Tax Offset
1 Apr 2029
FBT concession for electric cars reduced

1. Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Reform

Big shift: The 50% CGT discount is being replaced by cost base indexation + a 30% minimum tax on net capital gains for assets held over 12 months.
📉
From 1 Jul 2027

Goodbye 50% Discount

Replaced by indexation + 30% minimum tax. Applies to individuals, trusts and partnerships — including pre-CGT assets.

🛡️
Transitional

Gains Before Jul 2027 Protected

Only gains accruing on or after 1 July 2027 are affected. Pre-CGT asset gains accrued before then stay exempt.

🏠
New Builds

Choice for New Residential

Investors in new residential property can pick the 50% discount or indexation + 30% min tax.

👵
Exemption

Pensioners Exempt from Min Tax

Income support recipients, including Age Pensioners, are exempt from the new 30% minimum tax.

🌱
Until 30 Jun 2030

Foreign Resident Renewables Concession

Time-limited concession for foreign investors disposing of renewable energy infrastructure assets.

2. Negative Gearing Reform — Residential Property

From 1 July 2027: Losses from established residential properties acquired after 7:30 PM AEST on 12 May 2026 will only be deductible against rental income or capital gains from residential properties. Excess losses carry forward.
🔒
Grandfathered

Existing Properties Safe

Properties acquired (or under contract) before 7:30 PM AEST 12 May 2026 are exempt until disposal.

🏗️
Exempt

New Builds Excluded

Eligible new builds are exempt — encouraging investment in new housing supply.

🏢
Excluded

Super Funds & Build-to-Rent

Properties in super funds, widely held trusts, build-to-rent developments and government housing programs are excluded.

3. Discretionary Trusts — 30% Minimum Tax

From 1 July 2028: Trustees pay a minimum 30% tax on the taxable income of discretionary trusts. Non-corporate beneficiaries get non-refundable credits.
🏛️
FY2029+

30% Min Tax on Trustees

Beneficiaries (not corporate) receive non-refundable credits for tax paid by the trustee.

🏢
Tighter

Corporate Beneficiaries

Assessed on trust income they're entitled to — cannot claim credits for trustee-paid tax.

Exempt

Not Affected

Fixed trusts, fixed testamentary trusts, complying super funds, special disability trusts, and deceased estates.

🔄
3-yr window

Restructure Rollover Relief

Expanded rollover relief for 3 years from 1 July 2027 — restructure into a company or fixed trust.

4. Measures Impacting Individuals

💼
From FY2028

$250 Working Australians Offset

Permanent annual offset for salary, wages and sole-trader business income.

📝
From 1 Jul 2026

$1,000 Standard Work Deduction

Claim up to $1,000 in work-related expenses without itemising or substantiating. Donations & union fees still claimable on top.

📊
Legislated

Personal Tax Cuts

16% rate → 15% from 1 Jul 2026, then → 14% from 1 Jul 2027.

🏥
From 1 Jul 2025

Medicare Levy Thresholds ↑ 2.9%

Singles $27,222 → $28,011 · Family $45,907 → $47,238 · Senior single $43,020 → $44,268 · Senior family $59,886 → $61,623.

🩺
From 1 Apr 2027

PHI Rebate — Age Uplift Removed

The higher rebate percentage for individuals 65+ will be removed.

Personal Income Tax Rates

Taxable Income FY2026 FY2027 FY2028
$0 – $18,200Tax-freeTax-freeTax-free
$18,201 – $45,00016%15%14%
$45,001 – $135,00030%30%30%
$135,001 – $190,00037%37%37%
$190,001+45%45%45%

5. Measures Impacting Businesses

🛠️
From 1 Jul 2026

$20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off — Permanent

For small businesses with turnover < $10M. Assets ≥ $20K still go into the depreciation pool.

↩️
From 1 Jul 2026

Loss Carry Back Returns

Companies with global turnover < $1B can offset losses against tax paid up to 2 years earlier (revenue losses only, capped at franking balance).

🚀
From 1 Jul 2028

Start-up Loss Refundability

Companies under $10M turnover, in first 2 years, can convert losses to a refundable offset (capped at FBT + wage withholding).

📅
From 1 Jul 2027

Dynamic Monthly PAYG

Opt-in to monthly PAYG instalments calculated by accounting software in real time. Required for non-compliant taxpayers.

From 1 Apr 2026 (3 mths)

Fuel Excise Cut

Excise rates cut 60.9% — a 32c/L reduction for petrol & diesel. Heavy vehicle road user charge cut from 32.4c/L to zero.

🔬
From 1 Jul 2028

R&D Tax Incentive Reform

Core offset rates +4.5pp (~25% increase) · intensity threshold 2% → 1.5% · refundable threshold $20M → $50M · max expenditure $150M → $200M · min threshold $20K → $50K · supporting expenditure removed.

📞
To 30 Jun 2027

Small Business Debt Helpline

$8.2M over 3 years to extend financial counselling and NewAccess mental health coaching for small business owners.

6. FBT Concession for Electric Cars — Tightening

From 1 April 2029: Permanent 25% FBT discount (15% statutory rate) on electric cars up to the fuel-efficient luxury car tax threshold.
🔋
Pre-1 Apr 2029

EVs ≤ $75,000

Keep 100% FBT discount (0% statutory rate) if provided before 1 April 2029.

🚗
1 Apr 2027 – 1 Apr 2029

EVs $75K–Lux Threshold

Eligible for 25% FBT discount (15% statutory rate).

⚙️
Ongoing

Other Cars

20% statutory rate still applies — including EVs above the lux car tax threshold.

7. Other Budget Measures

🌏
To 30 Jun 2029

Foreign Buyer Ban Extended

Ban on foreign purchases of established dwellings extended by 2 years 3 months.

🛡️
From 1 Jul 2026

Counter-Fraud Strategy Phase 2

$86.3M over 4 years (+ $9.7M/yr ongoing). Real-time fraud detection, expanded ATO powers, pause/waive debts of fraud victims, recover from intermediaries.

🌐
OECD/G20

Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules

Amendments to Australia's global & domestic minimum tax legislation to implement the side-by-side package agreed 5 January 2026.