Major change in proposed 30 per cent minimum tax on trusts
InsightNew “EET election” option for discretionary trusts to avoid the minimum 30 per cent without having to restructure, but creates inflexibility.
Remarkable Journeys with Jess Fox: Conversations with our clients, people and community. Listen now.
12 Mar 2026 4 min read
We are however still waiting on the final regulations and ATO guidance which outline the finer details of the Division 296 Tax.
Please refer to our Division 296 updates and guidance hub to receive timely updates.
Division 296 represents a significant change for individuals with high superannuation balances. It is crucial for individuals to seek tailored advice and plan accordingly to navigate these changes and the implications for their superannuation and wealth strategies.
If you’d like to discuss your current superannuation strategy, please reach out to one of our experts today.
The above information is provided as an information service only and, therefore, does not constitute financial product advice and should not be relied upon as financial product advice. None of the information provided takes into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. You must determine whether the information is appropriate in terms of your particular circumstances. For financial product advice that takes account of your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, you should consider seeking financial advice from an Australian Financial Services licensee before making a financial decision in relation to any of the matters discussed.
New “EET election” option for discretionary trusts to avoid the minimum 30 per cent without having to restructure, but creates inflexibility.
The rules for SMSF borrowing to acquire real property have now changed. While the policy debate has largely focused on residential property, the final law operates by reference to whether the real property qualifies as business real property under the superannuation rules. This distinction is important for trustees, advisers and lenders considering property transactions from 10 August 2026.
Treasury has released draft regulations supporting the Treasury Laws Amendment (Building a Stronger and Fairer Super System) Act 2026, which introduced the new Division 296 tax on superannuation balances exceeding $3m and $10m. The regulations provide the long awaited operational detail on how the new tax will work in practice, particularly for defined benefit interests, large Australian Prudential Regulation Authority funds and Self-managed Superannuation Funds.