Oceania: Tax

The 2026 federal Budget introduced significant changes to capital gains tax, negative gearing, and discretionary family trusts that may impact your estate planning strategy.

In this edition of It depends, partners Scott Hay-Bartlem and Clinton Jackson bring the latest updates on the government's proposed tax on large super balances, including the introduction of indexation.

Much has been written about the ever approaching "unprecedented" intergenerational wealth transfer, in which between AU$3.5 trillion and Au$5.4 trillion in assets is expected to pass from the Baby Boomers to their heirs.

The Australian Government has announced significant revisions to its 2026 tax reform package following intensive consultation, including expanded small business CGT concessions, a new innovative business CGT discount for early-stage investors, and broadened exemptions for testamentary trusts. These adjustments respond to industry feedback while maintaining the fundamental architecture of replacing the 50% CGT discount with cost base indexation and introducing a 30% minimum tax on trust distributions.

Hello and welcome, everyone, to our webinar on how the 2026 budget impacts your business.

The most significant shift in Australian tax enforcement is not tax rates, but the convergence of transparency, enforcement and foreign investment scrutiny – elevating tax into a first‑order governance and reputational risk for boards.

The Australian government's 2026 federal Budget introduced significant changes to self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) borrowing rules, restricting property purchases to 'business real property' only. Understanding the strict conditions, cutoff dates, and exemptions for existing arrangements is crucial for SMSF trustees considering property investments. This analysis explores what the new borrowing ban means for residential real estate purchases and how it affects current SMSF property holders.

The Australian Government has announced significant revisions to its 2026 tax reform package following intensive consultation, including expanded small business CGT concessions, a new innovative business CGT discount for early-stage investors, and broadened exemptions for testamentary trusts. These adjustments respond to industry feedback while maintaining the fundamental architecture of replacing the 50% CGT discount with cost base indexation and introducing a 30% minimum tax on trust distributions.

Australia's High Court is set to rule on whether bitcoin constitutes property under common law, with the Australian Taxation Office intervening to protect over a decade of tax administration based on treating cryptocurrency as a taxable asset. Meanwhile, AUSTRAC launches new supervisory campaigns targeting virtual asset service providers, and the Reserve Bank releases findings from Project Acacia exploring tokenised finance in wholesale markets.

Foreign purchasers and permanent residents buying property in NSW face significantly increased surcharge duties and land tax obligations following the 2024-25 State Budget changes. With surcharge rates now at 9% for purchaser duty and 5% for land tax, understanding eligibility requirements—including the critical 200-day presence rule—has become essential to avoid costly compliance errors that Revenue NSW actively audits.

When planning your estate, understanding the distinction between a right to reside and a life estate is crucial for ensuring your property is protected while providing accommodation for loved ones. These two legal mechanisms offer different levels of control and responsibility, from simple occupancy rights to broader property usage and income generation. Choosing the right option requires careful consideration of tax implications, maintenance obligations, and how the property will ultimately pass to your be

The Australian Federal Government's 2026 Budget proposes significant changes to negative gearing rules for residential property investors, set to take effect from July 2027. Under the proposed legislation, negative gearing will only apply to new residential dwellings, while existing properties purchased before May 12, 2026, will be grandfathered under current ownership.