21/05/2026
📅 The 2026 Federal Budget included proposed changes to the taxation of discretionary trusts that may significantly impact many small businesses and family groups.
Under the proposal:
✔️ A new 30% minimum tax may apply to income distributed through discretionary trusts
✔️ Beneficiaries may instead receive a non-refundable tax credit for tax already paid by the trustee
✔️ Certain trusts and income types may be excluded from the new rules
✔️ A proposed 3-year restructuring rollover relief period may become available from 1 July 2027 for eligible businesses looking to transition to alternative structures
As many small businesses operate through discretionary trusts, these proposed changes may create the need to review:
🏢 Existing business and trust structures
📊 Distribution approaches and tax outcomes
📅 Long-term succession and operational considerations
While these measures are still proposed at this stage, it is important to understand how they may affect your existing structure moving forward.
If you’d like to discuss how these proposed trust changes may affect your business or family group, feel free to get in touch.