Tax planning in Brisbane has never been more important than it is right now. Why? Because 2026 brings a wave of real legislative changes: new income tax rates, payday super, Division 296, and more and businesses that plan ahead will pocket the savings, while those that wait until June will be handing over money they simply didn’t need to.
We are sitting in the middle of the 2025-26 financial year. The clock is ticking toward 30 June 2026 and, at the same time, major changes are locked in for 1 July 2026 that will reshape how Brisbane businesses and their owners pay tax in the 2026-27 year. Understanding both Windows EOFY 2026 and the year ahead is where smart tax planning begins.
This guide covers exactly what strategies you should be deploying right now, what changes are coming on 1 July 2026, and how Brisbane business owners can use all of it legally and confidently to reduce their tax bill.
Why 2026 Is a Critical Year for Tax Planning in Brisbane
Brisbane business owners face a uniquely important moment. Several major tax changes are converging at once, and the decisions you make in the next few months will determine how much tax you pay this financial year and the next. Here is what has changed and what is coming.
Key 2026 tax changes every Brisbane business owner needs to know:
- From 1 July 2026: The marginal tax rate on income between $18,201–$45,000 drops from 16% to 15%
- From 1 July 2026: The 30% bracket ($45,001–$135,000) drops to 29%, saving a worker on $80,000 around $800 per year
- From 1 July 2026: Payday Super kicks in – employers must pay super with every pay run, not quarterly
- From 1 July 2026: Super on Paid Parental Leave becomes mandatory
- Division 296 tax: An extra 15% tax on super earnings above $3 million is now law, with revenue collected from 2026
- $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off extended to 30 June 2026 for eligible small businesses
- Proposed from 1 July 2026: A $1,000 standard tax deduction for work-related expenses (choose this or itemised whichever is higher)
- Super Guarantee remains at 12% – now fully phased in
These changes are not speculative; most are already legislated. They affect your payroll costs, your super strategy, your deduction claims, and your business structure decisions. Proactive tax planning in Brisbane means acting on this knowledge now, not in May.
Legal Tax Reduction Strategies for Brisbane Businesses in 2026
Below are the most effective and proven strategies Brisbane business owners should be discussing with their accountant right now customised to reflect the current 2026 environment.
1. Maximise Superannuation Contributions Before 30 June 2026
Superannuation remains Australia’s single most powerful legal tax shelter and for business owners in Brisbane, 2026 is an excellent year to use it hard. Concessional (before-tax) contributions are taxed at just 15% inside the super fund, compared to marginal rates of up to 47% outside it. For a Brisbane business owner on the top marginal rate, that is a 32-cent saving on every dollar contributed. Even at the 32% bracket, the saving is close to 17 cents per dollar guaranteed and risk-free.
The concessional contributions cap for 2025-26 sits at $30,000. If your total super balance is under $500,000, you may be able to carry forward unused caps from previous years and make a larger contribution this financial year. This is one of the most under-used strategies among Brisbane small business owners.
One important watch-out for 2026: the new Division 296 tax now applies an additional 15% tax on super earnings for balances exceeding $3 million. If your balance is approaching this threshold, your accountant needs to model the impact now and potentially look at alternative structures. For the vast majority of business owners, super remains highly effective but the strategy needs to be adapted.
2. Use the $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off Before It Expires
The $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off has been extended until 30 June 2026, and this is your last confirmed window to use it. If you are a small business with annual turnover under $10 million, any eligible asset purchased and ready for use before 30 June 2026 can be fully deducted in this financial year rather than depreciated over several years.
This means a piece of equipment, a computer system, a work vehicle (business portion), or trade tools purchased in the next few months delivers a full deduction this year. For a business owner paying tax at 25-30%, a $20,000 asset purchase translates to $5,000-$6,000 in immediate tax savings especially when you understand how to maximize tax deductions and credits for Brisbane businesses. The commercial case has to stack up first but if you were going to buy the asset anyway, now is the time.
From 2026-27 onward, the write-off threshold and rules are still being debated, with the Tax Institute actively pushing for the threshold to be permanently set at $30,000. Until that is confirmed, do not assume the same concession will be available next year.
3. Optimise Your Business Structure for the 2026 Tax Environment
Business structure is the foundation of any effective tax plan in Brisbane and the 2026 tax changes make it worth revisiting even if you set up years ago. Companies currently pay a flat rate of 25% (for base rate entities under $50M turnover) or 30%. Individuals at the top marginal rate pay up to 47% including Medicare Levy. The new tax cuts from 1 July 2026 modestly reduce personal rates, but the gap between company and individual tax rates remains significant.
A discretionary (family) trust remains one of the most flexible structures for Brisbane business owners. It allows income to be distributed to beneficiaries such as a lower-income spouse, adult children, or a corporate trustee at lower marginal rates. Distributions must be documented and resolved before 30 June each year. The ATO scrutinises arrangements where money is effectively returned to the mai
If you are still operating as a sole trader and your income has grown significantly, now is the time to model what incorporating or moving to a trust structure could save you. Restructuring mid-year is possible but takes time. Do not leave this conversation until June.
4. Prepare Now for Payday Super From 1 July 2026
Payday Super is one of the biggest payroll changes in a generation, and it hits Brisbane employers on 1 July 2026. Currently, super contributions can be paid quarterly. From 1 July 2026, super must be paid at the same time as wages with every single pay run. This is not a tax saving strategy; it is a compliance requirement. But getting it wrong will be expensive.
For Brisbane business owners, this means your payroll software, accounting systems, and cash flow forecasts all need to be updated before July. Businesses that have been relying on the quarterly float using super funds as working capital between lodgements will need to plan for tighter cash flow. Build this into your budget now, not on 30 June.
The upside: payday super also means more accurate payroll reconciliations and less end-of-year scrambling. Combined with Xero or MYOB’s updated STP (Single Touch Payroll) integrations, this is an opportunity to tighten your bookkeeping practices.
5. Time Your Income and Expenses Strategically Around EOFY 2026
Timing is one of the cheapest tax planning tools available and it works particularly well when tax rates are about to fall, as they are on 1 July 2026. If your income is likely to be similar or higher next year, deferring income to the 2026-27 year means that income is taxed at slightly lower rates (from the legislated bracket changes). If you expect to be in a lower bracket in 2025-26, accelerating income may be smarter.
On the expense side, prepaying eligible business costs before 30 June 2026 brings forward deductions into the current financial year. Rent, insurance premiums, subscriptions, and professional fees paid up to 12 months in advance can generally be claimed immediately. This is especially valuable if your taxable income this year is higher than expected.
A March tax planning review which our Brisbane accounting team offers is the ideal time to model this, because you still have three months to act. By May, most of your options have closed.
6. Plan Ahead for the $1,000 Standard Tax Deduction in 2026–27
From 1 July 2026, the Australian Government has proposed a $1,000 standard tax deduction for work-related expenses. Under this proposal, eligible taxpayers can choose to claim either the flat $1,000 amount or their actual itemised work-related expenses whichever is higher. For employees and sole traders with smaller expense claims, this could simplify tax time significantly. For those with higher actual expenses, itemising will still deliver a better result.
The critical planning note here: even if you plan to use the standard deduction, keep all your expense records during 2026-27. You will not know whether your actual expenses exceed $1,000 until year-end, and you want the flexibility to choose the better option. Your Brisbane accountant can help you compare both methods before lodging.
7. Manage Capital Gains Tax Before You Sell
Capital gains tax planning in Brisbane is often left far too late. If you are considering selling a business asset, commercial property, shares, or goodwill in 2026, the structure and timing of the sale can mean the difference between paying 47% CGT or paying very little or nothing at all. Assets held for more than 12 months by an individual or trust generally qualify for a 50% CGT discount.
Small businesses also have access to specific CGT concessions, including the small business 50% reduction, the retirement exemption, and the rollover concession. These can eliminate or dramatically reduce CGT on the sale of active business assets. The key is accessing these concessions correctly and before the sale settles, not after. Engage your Brisbane tax advisor at least six to twelve months before any major asset sale.
When Should Brisbane Business Owners Start Tax Planning for 2026?
If the answer is ‘not yet’ that is already too late for some strategies. The best window for EOFY 2026 planning is right now, from March through to late April. This gives your accountant enough runway to review your position, model scenarios, and implement strategies before the 30 June deadline.
For the 2026-27 year new financial year starting 1 July 2026 the planning conversations should begin at the same time. Payday super, the new tax rates, the proposed $1,000 standard deduction, and the Division 296 changes all require proactive preparation. Businesses that start this conversation now will enter the new financial year with their structure, payroll, and super systems already optimised.
Rule of thumb: If your accountant only calls you in June, you need a different accountant.
How Wow! Advisors Helps Brisbane Businesses Reduce Tax Legally
At WOW! Advisors, we work with Brisbane business owners year-round not just at tax time. Our approach to business tax planning in Brisbane is proactive and adapted: we look at your structure, your income, your goals, and the latest legislative changes, and we build a strategy that lets you keep more of what you earn without stepping outside the law.
Whether you need help preparing for the 30 June 2026 EOFY deadline, restructuring for the 2026-27 financial year, implementing payday super, managing trust distributions, or planning the sale of a business asset the WOW! Advisors, Brisbane team is here to help.
Wrapping Up: Tax Planning in Brisbane in 2026 Means Acting Now
Tax planning in Brisbane in 2026 is not just about ticking a compliance box. It is about understanding that the rules are changing right now, and again on 1 July and that the business owners who prepare will be significantly better off than those who wait.
Between the expiring $20,000 Instant Asset Write-Off, the coming tax rate cuts, the Payday Super transition, and the new Division 296 regime, there is both risk and opportunity in the current environment. The strategies in this guide from superannuation and trust distributions to CGT timing and expense management are all within the law and actively supported by the ATO for eligible taxpayers.
The businesses that build wealth over time are not always the ones with the highest revenue. They are the ones that treat tax planning as a year-round discipline, not a last-minute panic.
Ready to reduce your business tax legally in 2026? Visit WOW! Advisors today to book your personalised tax planning review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the $20,000 instant asset write-off and how does it help?
The $20,000 instant asset write-off allows eligible Brisbane businesses to claim full deductions on assets purchased before 30 June 2026. It reduces taxable income immediately, making it one of the most effective short-term tax saving tools.
What happens if I don’t do tax planning before EOFY?
If you skip tax planning, you may miss key deductions, pay higher tax, and face unexpected liabilities. By the time June arrives, most opportunities are gone. Early planning helps you stay in control and avoid costly mistakes.
How will Payday Super impact Brisbane businesses?
From July 2026, Brisbane businesses must pay employee super with each payroll instead of quarterly. This means tighter cash flow and updated payroll systems. Planning early helps avoid disruptions and ensures your business stays compliant with the new rules.
What is Division 296 and does it affect us?
Division 296 adds extra tax on super balances above $3 million. It may even apply to unrealised gains, which surprises many business owners. While it won’t affect everyone, if your super is growing quickly, it’s worth reviewing your strategy early.
Can WOW! Advisors help with tax planning in Brisbane?
Yes, WOW! Advisors helps Brisbane businesses with both EOFY tax planning and long-term strategies. From reviewing your current position to preparing for upcoming tax changes, their team ensures you stay compliant while reducing tax legally.
