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.
Thank you for presenting an excellent course in your Property School 101 over the last 6 weeks. We really enjoyed it, gained good value from it plus the necessary confidence and knowledge to move forward in the property market. We will be in touch, soon, for a review of our trusts and entities to ensure we have these established properly to fully protect both our assets and income and to gain full advantage. All the best. - John
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