Important Budget Update – New Minimum Tax on Discretionary Trusts (2026-2027 Budget)

The Federal Government has announced significant reforms to the taxation of discretionary trusts as part of the 2026–27 Federal Budget. These changes introduce a 30% minimum tax on discretionary trust income, representing one of the most substantial trust tax reforms in decades.

Below is a summary of the key changes and what they mean for you.

1. 30% Minimum Tax on Discretionary Trusts (from 1 July 2028)

• A 30% minimum tax will apply to discretionary trust income at the trustee level.

• Beneficiaries (other than companies) will receive a non‑refundable tax credit for tax paid by the trustee.

• The measure aims to reduce income‑splitting advantages and align trust taxation more closely with wage earners.

2. Three‑Year Rollover Relief for Restructuring (from 1 July 2027)

A time‑limited 3‑year rollover relief will allow assets to be transferred out of discretionary trusts into other structures without immediate tax consequences. This is intended to help small businesses and families restructure if the new minimum tax makes their current trust structure less suitable.

3. Why the Government Introduced This Reform

According to Budget papers:

• Over 1 million trusts exist in Australia, with 80% being discretionary trusts.

• Trust income has grown rapidly, and most benefits flow to high‑wealth households.

• The Government aims to ensure “fairer tax outcomes” compared with wage earners.

4. What This Means for You

• If you operate a family trust, your trust income may be taxed at 30% regardless of beneficiary marginal rates.

• Income‑splitting strategies will be significantly reduced.

• You may need to review whether your current trust structure remains optimal.

• The temporary rollover relief may provide an opportunity to restructure tax‑effectively.

5. How We Can Assist

We can help you:

• Review your trust structure under the new rules

• Model tax outcomes under the 30% minimum tax

• Assess whether restructuring is beneficial

• Plan ahead for the 2027–2028 transition period

If you would like personalised advice, please contact our office.

联邦政府在 2026–27 财政预算 中宣布了对 任意信托（家族信托） 的重大改革，将对信托收入实施 30% 最低税率，这是数十年来最重要的信托税务改革之一。

以下为主要变更内容及其对您的影响。

1. 任意信托将实施 30% 最低税率（自 2028 年 7 月 1 日起）

• 任意信托的收入将由 受托人 按 30% 最低税率 缴税。

• 除公司外的受益人将获得 不可退还的税收抵免，用于抵扣受托人已缴纳的税款。

• 政府旨在减少通过信托分拆收入的税务优势，使信托收入的税负更接近工资收入者。

2. 提供三年重组过渡减免（自 2027 年 7 月 1 日起）

 政府将提供 三年限时的重组过渡减免，允许将资产从任意信托转移至其他结构，而不会立即触发税务后果。此措施旨在协助小型企业和家庭在新税制下进行结构调整。

3. 政府为何推出此改革

 根据预算文件：澳大利亚有超过 100 万个信托，其中 80% 为任意信托。信托收入增长迅速，且大部分收益流向高净值家庭。政府希望确保税负更公平，使信托收入与工资收入者的税负更一致。

4. 这对您的影响

如果您使用 家族信托，信托收入可能将按 30% 税率 征税，而不再取决于受益人的边际税率。分拆收入的税务优势将大幅减少。您可能需要重新评估现有信托结构是否仍然适合。限时重组减免可能为您提供税务优化的重组机会。

5. 我们如何协助您

我们可以协助您：

• 根据新规审查您的信托结构

• 计算 30% 最低税率下的税务影响

• 评估是否需要进行结构调整

• 为 2027–2028 过渡期提前规划

如需个性化建议，请随时联系我们。