Today (20 December 2023) the coalition government announced that the bright-line test will be reduced to two years from 1 July 2024.
This is what Nicola Willis had to say:
"Today I am announcing our immediate decision to bring the brightline test for residential property back to two years, effective from 1 July 2024. Removing this effective capital gains tax means that properties sold after 1 July 2024 will only be subject to the rule if owned for less than two years."
At GRA we are very pleased, not only with the reduction of bright-line timeframe, but also that the government have followed through and done what they said they would.
A two-year timeframe is fairer for genuine investors, while still capturing those who are really traders but who would have liked to pose as ‘long-term investors’ in order to avoid paying tax on the capital gains they make.
We expect the definition of “sale” will likely be a binding contract, but we need to wait for the detail to be confirmed. We will keep you posted as the details come to light.
Thanks GRA for ALL your help today :) You have such a great way of making your clients feel comfortable with the whole process...even though it sounds so confusing at times to me :( I would have to say that I definitely feel a WHOLE lot better now...and I have a better understanding of what is still needed to be done and what we will have to continue to do... THANK YOU :) THANK YOU :) THANK YOU :) THANK YOU - Annie Illingworth
Gilligan Rowe and Associates is a chartered accounting firm specialising in property, asset planning, legal structures, taxation and compliance.
We help new, small and medium property investors become long-term successful investors through our education programmes and property portfolio planning advice. With our deep knowledge and experience, we have assisted hundreds of clients build wealth through property investment.
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