Key Changes- 2025/26 – 2026/27

Key Changes for Individuals

Resident tax rates 2025-26

Taxable income Tax on this income
0 – $18,200              Nil
$18,201 – $45,000              16c for each $1 over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000              $4,288 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000              $31,288 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
$190,001 and over              $51,638 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 2%.

Resident tax rates 2026-27

Taxable income Tax on this income
0 – $18,200                Nil
$18,201 – $45,000                15c for each $1 over $18,200
$45,001 – $135,000               $4,019 plus 30c for each $1 over $45,000
$135,001 – $190,000               $31,018 plus 37c for each $1 over $135,000
$190,001 and over               $51,368 plus 45c for each $1 over $190,000

The above rates do not include the Medicare levy of 2%.

Cents per kilometre rate change

From 1 July 2025, the cents per kilometre rate is 88c for work-related car expenses.

A new guideline is available to help clients to work out the cost of electricity when charging an electric vehicle (EV) from home. Clients can use the EV home charging rate of 4.2c per kilometre.

Medicare levy surcharge thresholds

From 1 July 2026 the Medicare Levy Surcharge thresholds have increased.

Medicare levy surcharge thresholds
Threshold          Base tier          Tier 1          Tier 2         Tier 3
Single threshold

  $105,000 or less

      $105,001-$123,000

       $123,001-$164,000

        $164,001 or more

Family threshold

  $210,000 or less

      $210,001-$246,000

       $246,001-$328,000

        $328,001 or more

Medicare levy surcharge

            0%

                      1%

                   1.25%

                  1.5%

The family income threshold is increased by $1,500 for each MLS dependent child after the first child.

 

Reminder: Interest on ATO Tax Debt No Longer Tax-Deductible

If you incur general interest charge (GIC) or shortfall interest charge (SIC) on or after 1 July 2025, you can’t claim these amounts as an income tax deduction in your 2025–26 or later tax returns. GIC or SIC incurred before 1 July 2025 can still be claimed in the 2024–25 and earlier income years.

For more information, see Denying deductions for ATO interest charges.

Small business – $20,000 instant asset write-off

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Systems and Other Measures) Act 2025External Link has extended the $20,000 instant asset write-off limit to the 2025-26 income year. The measure aims to support small business entities (with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $10 million).

Eligible small business entities can immediately deduct the business use portion of the cost of eligible depreciating assets costing less than $20,000. You must first use or install these assets ready for use for a taxable purpose between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026.

The $20,000 limit applies on a per asset basis, so small business entities can instantly write off multiple assets. Small business entities can also immediately deduct an eligible amount included in the second element of a depreciating asset’s cost.

The 5-year ‘lock out’ rule is suspended until 30 June 2026. Normally this rule prevents small business entities from re-entering the simplified depreciation regime if they opted out.

Payday Super starts

One of the biggest changes.

Instead of paying Super Guarantee quarterly, employers must pay employees’ super each payday.

This aims to:

  • reduce unpaid super
  • ensure employees receive super sooner
  • improve ATO compliance and reporting.

Payroll systems should already be updated to support this.

STP Phase 2 reporting changes

Additional payroll information is now expected through Single Touch Payroll, including qualifying earnings and super liability reporting. During 2026-27 the ATO is taking an implementation approach before mandatory validation begins in 2027

Superannuation

  • Super Guarantee remains 12% (no increase this year).
  • Concessional contribution cap increases to $32,500.
  • Non-concessional contribution cap increases to $130,000.
  • Bring-forward cap increases to $390,000

Small Business

Updated PAYG withholding

New withholding schedules apply from the first pay run after 1 July to reflect the tax cut.

ASIC fee increases

From 1 July:

  • Business name registration (1 year): $47
  • Business name registration (3 years): $108
  • Company registration and annual review fees also increase

Tax Returns (2025–26 returns lodged from July 2026)

The ATO has introduced several improvements including:

  • additional trust distribution reporting
  • expanded pre-fill data
  • updated guidance on deductions and compliance focus areas
  • enhanced digital matching of income and investment information

ATO Compliance Focus

The ATO continues to closely monitor:

  • work-related expense claims
  • rental property deductions
  • cryptocurrency transactions
  • business income reporting
  • GST compliance
  • unpaid super
  • contractor reporting

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