The Federal Budget just changed the rules on negative gearing and capital gains tax, and the clock is ticking. If you own an investment property or are thinking about buying one, these changes could have a significant impact on your tax position. Here is what every property investor needs to understand before 1 July 2027.

There was a recent case before the Federal Court which had to deal with the issue of when is an asset acquired for CGT purposes when an option is exercised to acquire it. Is it at the time the option agreement is entered into or is it when the option is exercised? And it is an important issue for the person who acquires the asset.

The capital gains tax (CGT) rules provide a lot of important concessions where a capital gain arises in unusual or unexpected circumstances. One such concession is the rollover where a CGT asset (or part of one) is lost or accidentally destroyed.

Forced to sell assets to survive? A recent Tribunal decision shows that capital gains tax still applies, even when sales are driven by financial hardship, making it essential to understand your position before acting.

Buying a new home before selling your old one can raise tricky capital gains tax issues, but a key concession may allow both properties to be treated as CGT-exempt for up to six months. However, strict conditions apply, particularly if the old home was rented out, making it important to understand how the rules and related concessions work before making the move.

If you run a small business and sell it – or some of its asset(s) – and make a capital gain, the CGT “retirement exemption” may be invaluable to reduce or eliminate the tax payable on the gain. The funny thing is that you don’t have to retire to use the CGT retirement exemption.

Buying property off-the-plan? Remember: for CGT purposes, the acquisition date is when you sign the contract, not settlement. This affects the 50% CGT discount, holding periods, and when capital gains or losses are reported. Timing can be tricky, but smart planning ensures you don’t get caught out. Pointax can guide you through the rules so you maximise your benefits.

When you sell or otherwise dispose of real estate, what is the time of the event (when you make a capital gain or loss)?

Cryptocurrencies have a unique tax treatment that every taxpayer dealing with cryptocurrency should be aware of.