The September episode of Tax Talks sees Andrew Henshaw and Rajan Verma joined by Karen Goodfellow of Goodfellow Tax Advisory to unpack the major Australian tax developments from September 2026.
The discussion begins with the exposure draft package for the proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts. The panel examines which trusts and income streams may fall outside the regime, the proposed broader definition of a fixed trust, the treatment of company beneficiaries and the complexity of adding a minimum tax framework on top of the existing trust tax rules.
The episode then turns to the proposed election allowing existing trusts to avoid the minimum tax by fixing future income and capital distributions. The panel considers the consequences of making an irrevocable election, including changes in family circumstances, corporate beneficiaries, charitable distributions, asset protection, family law and succession planning. They also review the proposed trust restructure rollover, including its all-assets approach, duty concerns and the risks of moving assets into a company.
The panel also examines the proposed innovative business CGT concession, including the holding period, registration process, Australian activity requirements, excluded industries and the challenge of maintaining eligibility through to a future CGT event.
The cases section covers the Hilton Hotels Part IVA decision and what it may mean for restructures undertaken before a sale, contemporaneous documentation and how far the ATO may look back when identifying a broader scheme. The episode concludes with a recent tax residency decision involving an engineer working in Dubai, highlighting the difficulty of severing Australian tax residency, the importance of establishing a permanent place of abode overseas and the potential CGT consequences of leaving Australia.
Across these topics, the panel returns to a practical message for accountants and advisers: understand the proposals, identify affected clients and preserve the evidence supporting important decisions, but avoid taking irreversible steps while the law remains unsettled.

The September episode of Tax Talks sees Andrew Henshaw and Rajan Verma joined by Karen Goodfellow of Goodfellow Tax Advisory to unpack the major Australian tax developments from September 2026. The discussion begins with the exposure draft package for the proposed 30% minimum tax on discretionary trusts. The panel examines which trusts and income streams may fall outside the regime, the proposed broader definition of a fixed trust, the treatment of company beneficiaries and the complexity of adding a minimum tax framework on top of the existing trust tax rules. The episode then turns to the proposed election allowing existing trusts to avoid the minimum tax by fixing future income and capital distributions. The panel considers the consequences of making an irrevocable election, including changes in family circumstances, corporate beneficiaries, charitable distributions, asset protection, family law and succession planning. They also review the proposed trust restructure rollover, including its all-assets approach, duty concerns and the risks of moving assets into a company. The panel also examines the proposed innovative business CGT concession, including the holding period, registration process, Australian activity requirements, excluded industries and the challenge of maintaining eligibility through to a future CGT event. The cases section covers the Hilton Hotels Part IVA decision and what it may mean for restructures undertaken before a sale, contemporaneous documentation and how far the ATO may look back when identifying a broader scheme. The episode concludes with a recent tax residency decision involving an engineer working in Dubai, highlighting the difficulty of severing Australian tax residency, the importance of establishing a permanent place of abode overseas and the potential CGT consequences of leaving Australia. Across these topics, the panel returns to a practical message for accountants and advisers: understand the proposals, identify affected clients and preserve the evidence supporting important decisions, but avoid taking irreversible steps while the law remains unsettled.

September Updates

Episode 5 of Tax Talks sees Andrew Henshaw and guest co-host Ani Tuna joined by Vincent Licciardi from HWLE to unpack the major tax developments from August 2026.
The discussion begins with increasing scrutiny from the ATO and Tax Practitioners Board, exploring disclosure obligations, annual registration renewals and fit and proper person requirements. The panel examines the Free decision and the risks practitioners face when outstanding tax obligations or adverse findings remain undisclosed, including where the underlying matters are disputed.
The episode then examines the second tranche of draft CGT and negative gearing measures, analysing valuation challenges, main residence issues, small business concessions and the proposed definition of a new residential dwelling. The discussion also considers foreign resident CGT reforms and changes to SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements, including transitional contracts, business real property and refinancing.
The panel reviews recent Victorian and New South Wales state tax cases involving windfall gains tax, property nominations and landholder duty, highlighting how contract dates and transaction sequencing can produce unexpected liabilities. The discussion also explores engagement scope, client expectations and the risks for accountants advising outside their areas of expertise.
The episode concludes with GST credits on legal and litigation costs, developments concerning Bitcoin and draft ATO guidance on crypto transactions, and the Division 293 consequences of receiving employment income in arrears. Across these topics, the panel highlights the importance of precise timing, supporting evidence and identifying risks before transactions proceed.

Episode 5 of Tax Talks sees Andrew Henshaw and guest co-host Ani Tuna joined by Vincent Licciardi from HWLE to unpack the major tax developments from August 2026. The discussion begins with increasing scrutiny from the ATO and Tax Practitioners Board, exploring disclosure obligations, annual registration renewals and fit and proper person requirements. The panel examines the Free decision and the risks practitioners face when outstanding tax obligations or adverse findings remain undisclosed, including where the underlying matters are disputed. The episode then examines the second tranche of draft CGT and negative gearing measures, analysing valuation challenges, main residence issues, small business concessions and the proposed definition of a new residential dwelling. The discussion also considers foreign resident CGT reforms and changes to SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements, including transitional contracts, business real property and refinancing. The panel reviews recent Victorian and New South Wales state tax cases involving windfall gains tax, property nominations and landholder duty, highlighting how contract dates and transaction sequencing can produce unexpected liabilities. The discussion also explores engagement scope, client expectations and the risks for accountants advising outside their areas of expertise. The episode concludes with GST credits on legal and litigation costs, developments concerning Bitcoin and draft ATO guidance on crypto transactions, and the Division 293 consequences of receiving employment income in arrears. Across these topics, the panel highlights the importance of precise timing, supporting evidence and identifying risks before transactions proceed.

Episode 5 of Tax Talks sees Andrew Henshaw and guest co-host Ani Tuna joined by Vincent Licciardi from HWLE to unpack the major tax developments from August 2026.
The discussion begins with increasing scrutiny from the ATO and Tax Practitioners Board, exploring disclosure obligations, annual registration renewals and fit and proper person requirements. The panel examines the Free decision and the risks practitioners face when outstanding tax obligations or adverse findings remain undisclosed, including where the underlying matters are disputed.
The episode then examines the second tranche of draft CGT and negative gearing measures, analysing valuation challenges, main residence issues, small business concessions and the proposed definition of a new residential dwelling. The discussion also considers foreign resident CGT reforms and changes to SMSF limited recourse borrowing arrangements, including transitional contracts, business real property and refinancing.
The panel reviews recent Victorian and New South Wales state tax cases involving windfall gains tax, property nominations and landholder duty, highlighting how contract dates and transaction sequencing can produce unexpected liabilities. The discussion also explores engagement scope, client expectations and the risks for accountants advising outside their areas of expertise.
The episode concludes with GST credits on legal and litigation costs, developments concerning Bitcoin and draft ATO guidance on crypto transactions, and the Division 293 consequences of receiving employment income in arrears. Across these topics, the panel highlights the importance of precise timing, supporting evidence and identifying risks before transactions proceed.

August Updates

Child support lump sum payments are often favoured by mothers and might improve the relationship between parents.

Child support lump sum payments are often favoured by mothers and might improve the relationship between parents.

391 | Child Support Lump Sum Payments

Child support non-agency payments are payments to third parties credited to a child support liability.

Child support non-agency payments are payments to third parties credited to a child support liability.

390 | Child Support Non Agency Payments

In some ways CATS Accountants is just a normal practice with a turnover of $1m. But in other ways they are quite unique and unusual.

282 | CATS Accountants

How to create killer content and deliver it. Here are 12 tips from Melissa Donnelly of Affinity Communications to do just that.

How to create killer content and deliver it. Here are 12 tips from Melissa Donnelly of Affinity Communications to do just that.

240 | Content and How To Deliver It

Content marketing is a marathon. So choose a channel you enjoy. Here is <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/melissa-donnelly/'>Melissa Donnelly</a> of <a href='https://affinitycomms.com/'>Affinity Communications</a> with some insights.

Content marketing is a marathon. So choose a channel you enjoy. Here is Melissa Donnelly of Affinity Communications with some insights.

Content marketing is a marathon. So choose a channel you enjoy. Here is <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/melissa-donnelly/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Melissa Donnelly</a> of <a href="https://affinitycomms.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Affinity Communications</a> with some insights.

239 | Content Marketing

Converting conversations into clients takes skill. Some of us find it easy. Most of us find it the hardest part of it all. We ask <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/melissa-donnelly/'>Melissa Donnelly</a> of <a href='https://affinitycomms.com/'>Affinity Communications</a> for some tips and tricks.

Converting conversations into clients takes skill. Some of us find it easy. Most of us find it the hardest part of it all. We ask Melissa Donnelly of Affinity Communications for some tips and tricks.

Converting conversations into clients takes skill. Some of us find it easy. Most of us find it the hardest part of it all. We ask <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/melissa-donnelly/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Melissa Donnelly</a> of <a href="https://affinitycomms.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Affinity Communications</a> for some tips and tricks.

238 | Converting Conversations into Clients

There are three new Jobkeeper rulings - PCG 2020/4, PSLA 2020/1 and LCR 2020/1. Here is <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/andrew-henshaw/'>Andrew Henshaw</a> of <a href='https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/'>Velocity Legal</a> with the details.

There are three new Jobkeeper rulings - PCG 2020/4, PSLA 2020/1 and LCR 2020/1. Here is Andrew Henshaw of Velocity Legal with the details.

There are three new Jobkeeper rulings - PCG 2020/4, PSLA 2020/1 and LCR 2020/1. Here is <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/andrew-henshaw/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andrew Henshaw</a> of <a href="https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Velocity Legal</a> with the details.

UPDATE 14 | Jobkeeper Rulings

What happens to contract law during COVID-19? Here is <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/geoff-stein/'>Geoff Stein</a> of <a href='https://www.bwslawyers.com.au/'>Brown Wright Stein Lawyers</a> in Sydney with some insights.

What happens to contract law during COVID-19? Here is Geoff Stein of Brown Wright Stein Lawyers in Sydney with some insights.

What happens to contract law during COVID-19? Here is <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/geoff-stein/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Geoff Stein</a> of <a href="https://www.bwslawyers.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Brown Wright Stein Lawyers</a> in Sydney with some insights.

UPDATE 13 | COVID-19 Contract Law

Things have become more flexible under COVID-19. In this episode <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/ben-thompson/'>Ben Thompson</a> of <a href='https://employmenthero.com/'>Employment Hero</a> will tell you how.

Things have become more flexible under COVID-19. In this episode Ben Thompson of Employment Hero will tell you how.

Things have become more flexible under COVID-19. In this episode <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/ben-thompson/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ben Thompson</a> of <a href="https://employmenthero.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Employment Hero</a> will tell you how.

UPDATE 12 | COVID-19 Employment Law

What did employment law before COVID-19 look like? Here is <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/damien-gooden/'>Damien Gooden</a> of <a href='https://hrcentral.com.au/'>HR Central</a> with some insights.

What did employment law before COVID-19 look like? Here is Damien Gooden of HR Central with some insights.

What did employment law before COVID-19 look like? Here is <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/damien-gooden/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Damien Gooden</a> of <a href="https://hrcentral.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer">HR Central</a> with some insights.

UPDATE 11 | Employment Law Before COVID-19

The JobKeeper alternative test might be the lifeline you need if you fail the primary test. Here is <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/andrew-henshaw/'>Andrew Henshaw</a> of <a href='https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/'>Velocity Legal</a> with more.

The JobKeeper alternative test might be the lifeline you need if you fail the primary test. Here is Andrew Henshaw of Velocity Legal with more.

The JobKeeper alternative test might be the lifeline you need if you fail the primary test. Here is <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/andrew-henshaw/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andrew Henshaw</a> of <a href="https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Velocity Legal</a> with more.

UPDATE 10 | JobKeeper Alternative Test

The Commercial Tenancies Code might be the lifeline you need. It will hopefully make you stronger when negotiating with your landlord while you can’t pay the full rent. In this episode <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/scott-mckenzie/'>Scott McKenzie</a> of <a href='https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/'>Velocity Legal</a> in Melbourne will walk you through the 14 principles of the Code.

The Commercial Tenancies Code might be the lifeline you need. It will hopefully make you stronger when negotiating with your landlord while you can’t pay the full rent. In this episode Scott McKenzie of Velocity Legal in Melbourne will walk you through the 14 principles of the Code.

The Commercial Tenancies Code might be the lifeline you need. It will hopefully make you stronger when negotiating with your landlord while you can’t pay the full rent. In this episode <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/scott-mckenzie/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Scott McKenzie</a> of <a href="https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Velocity Legal</a> in Melbourne will walk you through the 14 principles of the Code.

UPDATE 9 | Commercial Tenancies Code

In this episode <a href='https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/andrew-henshaw/'>Andrew Henshaw</a> of <a href='https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/'>Velocity Legal</a> in Sydney will walk you through the Jobkeeper rules and answer a long list of questions.

In this episode Andrew Henshaw of Velocity Legal in Sydney will walk you through the Jobkeeper rules and answer a long list of questions.

In this episode <a href="https://www.taxtalks.com.au/guest/andrew-henshaw/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Andrew Henshaw</a> of <a href="https://www.velocitylegal.com.au/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Velocity Legal</a> in Sydney will walk you through the Jobkeeper rules and answer a long list of questions.

Share Tax Talks

Sign up to save your podcasts

Tax Talks

Tax Talks episodes

About Tax Talks

Best of Tax Talks

More shows like Tax Talks

How Do They Afford That?