13/05/2026
🏡 St George Homeowners & Investors: The 2026 Federal Budget Just Changed EVERYTHING! 🏡
Hey St George! Michael Kalinovski here. The 2026 Federal Budget dropped last night, and it’s one of the most significant for property in decades. If you own, rent, or want to buy in the St George area, you need to look past the headlines at the real-world impact on our local market.
I’ve spent the morning analyzing the fine print. Here is what you need to know about the shift in Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax (CGT):
🚨 The 3 Big Takeaways:
1️⃣ Negative Gearing Overhaul From 1 July 2027, negative gearing will be restricted to new builds only. If you buy an established home after 7:30 PM last night (12 May 2026), you can no longer offset losses against your salary. Instead, those losses are "quarantined" to be used only against future rental income or the eventual sale.
2️⃣ CGT Discount is Out, Indexation is In The 50% CGT discount is being replaced by Cost Base Indexation and a 30% minimum tax on gains starting 1 July 2027. This is a return to the pre-1999 system—taxing you on "real" gains above inflation rather than a flat discount.
3️⃣ The Grandfathering Clause GOOD NEWS: If you already own an investment property (or signed a contract before 7:30 PM last night), you are grandfathered. You keep your current tax benefits until you sell. This makes your existing St George asset even more unique and valuable!
What this means for YOU:
🏠 First Home Buyers: With investor demand for established homes expected to cool, your "golden window" to enter the St George market just opened wider.
📈 Property Investors: The "New Build Advantage" is now the name of the game. We need to pivot your strategy toward supply-boosting assets to keep those tax benefits.
🔑 Existing Owners: You hold a "legacy" asset. Because you are grandfathered in, your property may become highly sought after as others face tougher tax rules.
I've seen many market cycles in my 25+ years, and while the rules have changed, the opportunity in St George remains. Don't rely on guesswork—get the local perspective.
➡️ Click here for my full, no-nonsense analysis and to book your 1-on-1 strategy session: michaelkalinovski.com
Expert Insight Note:
The 50% CGT discount will still apply to any gains accrued before 1 July 2027. If you are considering selling, the next 12 months are a critical "transitional window" to maximize your return under the old rules.