The 2026 Budget Changes That Could Affect Your Property, Investments and Tax Strategy
Financial AutonomyShow Notes
The 2026 Federal Budget could change the way many Australians invest, buy property and reduce tax.
The big headline isn't the $250 tax offset. It's the proposed reforms to capital gains tax, negative gearing and family trusts. If they become law, they could mean a higher tax bill when you sell an investment, fewer tax benefits for future property investors, and a major shake up for people using trusts to manage family wealth.
In this episode, Nick breaks down the biggest tax changes announced in the Budget, explains who they could affect, and walks through the details that matter before the commentary and political noise take over.
Inside this episode:
The tax break for workers, and when you'd actually see it
The proposed capital gains tax change that could affect property, shares and ETFs
Why selling an investment in a low income year may no longer work the same way
What the Budget could mean for negative gearing and future property purchases
The family trust change that some households and business owners need to pay attention to
The key dates, grey areas and unanswered questions still hanging over these proposals
If you invest, own property, use a trust, or are planning your next money move, you need to listen to this episode. WANT ADVICE ON HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR FINANCES? Book an appointment here. WANT TO STAY ACROSS WHAT'S MOVING THE MARKETS?: Subscribe to GainingCHOICE, our weekly email unpacking the key headlines and what to pay attention to.
GOT A FINANCE QUESTION FOR PAUL?: Send it to [email protected], and it could be featured in his Ask an Expert column each Sunday in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
General advice disclaimer
More from Financial Autonomy
UPDATED: This episode was originally published with the wrong episode audio; it has been republished with the correct audio. Thanks for your patience!
You've worked hard, built up your savings and investments, and spent years making sensible financial decisions. But when was the last time you gave yourself permission to actually enjoy the money you've earned? It's easy to tell yourself you'll take that big holiday, make that purchase or finally start doing the things you've dreamed about once you retire. But what if waiting comes at a cost you haven't considered? In this episode, financial adviser Paul Benson explores one of the trickiest decisions when it comes to building wealth: how much should you put towards your future, and how much should you enjoy today? Through real client conversations and a spending dilemma of his own, Paul challenges the idea that the financially smartest decision is always the best one. And why getting the balance wrong could leave you with regrets that money can't fix. Inside this episode: Why being disciplined with money can sometimes work against you
You're earning good money, paying down your mortgage and doing all the right things. But are you missing an opportunity to build wealth along the way?
You've spent decades building your super and retirement is finally within reach. But what if the sharemarket crashes just as you're preparing to stop work? Could you still retire as planned? Would you need to scale back your lifestyle? And could a few bad years in the market affect how long your money lasts? In this episode, Paul Benson explores a retirement risk many people overlook. He reveals why two people with identical savings and investment returns could end up with vastly different outcomes, and what you can do to prepare. Inside this episode: Why the timing of a market downturn matters more as retirement approaches
You want to retire while you're young enough to enjoy it, with enough money to say yes to the trips, the experiences and more time with the people you love. But how do you feel confident spending your savings when you don't know how long they need to last?