Dear Clients
The 2026 Federal Budget contains a number of significant tax measures that are likely to affect business owners, investors, family groups and high-net-worth clients.
In our view, this is not a “business as usual” Budget. It follows previous tax increases affecting superannuation and now proposes further changes that directly impact family trusts, capital gains tax, negative gearing and electric vehicles. Several of these measures also represent a clear shift away from earlier policy settings and election commitments, particularly for investors and private business clients who have structured their affairs under long-standing tax rules.
Our attached Coeus Advisers / Snelleman Tom Federal Budget Wrap 2026 is designed to be sharp and focused. It does not attempt to summarise every Budget announcement. Instead, we have concentrated on the proposals we believe are most relevant to Snelleman Tom clients.
The key areas covered include:
Proposed changes to capital gains tax, including the replacement of the 50% CGT discount with cost base indexation and a minimum tax on net capital gains;
- Proposed changes to negative gearing, particularly for established residential property acquired after Budget night;
- The proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts;
- The new $1,000 instant tax deduction for work-related expenses;
- The proposed Working Australians Tax Offset;
- The proposed amendments to carry forward tax losses;
- The permanent extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off;
- Proposed changes to electric vehicle FBT concessions;
- Relevant aged care, health, compliance and government agency measures.
For many clients, the most important message is that the Government is continuing to broaden the tax base and reduce concessions that have historically been relied upon by business owners, investors and family groups. These changes are not yet law, but they are significant enough that affected clients should begin considering the possible implications now.
We will continue to monitor the progress of the proposed legislation and will provide further guidance as the detail becomes clearer.
For queries about this or any other matters, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by clicking the below button
Warm Regards
The Coeus Advisers & Snelleman Tom Team
Coeus Advisers Pty Ltd
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Coeus Advisers Pty Ltd and Jodie Ryan are Authorised Representatives of Coeus Financial Pty Ltd
Snelleman Tom Consulting Accountants and Financial Planners: Snelleman Tom Pty Ltd
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Snelleman Tom Financial Services Pty Ltd
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Phone: 07 3910 5675