Small business tax and accounting rules in 2026: what is in force and what is only announced

For the 2026–27 income year, the changes that most affect a small business's accounting workload are already in force: Payday Super started on 1 July 2026, so employers now pay super with each pay cycle, and the ATO's Small Business Superannuation Clearing House has closed; ASIC fees were indexed on 1 July 2026; the $20,000 instant asset write-off threshold is now permanent law for businesses with turnover under $10 million; and the anti-money-laundering reforms extended obligations to more businesses, including some accounting services. Several bigger changes from the 2026–27 Budget start later: the new approach to capital gains (from 1 July 2027) is already legislated, while the minimum tax on discretionary trusts is still an announcement that depends on legislation. Treat this page as a map, and confirm each item with the ATO or your tax agent.

This guide is part of the small business accountant fees overview. It is written as at 26 October 2026.

In force for 2026–27

Change	Start	What it means for your books	Source to check
Payday Super	1 July 2026	Super paid with each wage payment; contributions generally need to reach the fund within 7 days of payday	ATO, business.gov.au
Small Business Superannuation Clearing House closed	End of June 2026	Employers who used it need another way to pay; its records are no longer accessible	ATO
ASIC fee indexation	1 July 2026	Company registration $636 (was $611); proprietary company annual review $342 (was $329); business name $47 for one year or $108 for three years	ASIC, business.gov.au
$20,000 instant asset write-off	From 1 July 2026	Businesses with aggregated turnover under $10 million can immediately deduct eligible assets costing less than $20,000, applied per asset	ATO, business.gov.au
National Minimum Wage	First full pay period on or after 1 July 2026	$26.44 an hour ($1,004.90 a week); modern award minimum rates rose 4.75% (Annual Wage Review 2025–26)	Fair Work Ombudsman
AML/CTF reforms	1 July 2026	More businesses covered; some accounting services now carry customer identification and record keeping obligations	AUSTRAC
Super guarantee rate 12%	Since 1 July 2025	Unchanged rate, but now paid each pay cycle	ATO
GIC and SIC not deductible	Interest charged from 1 July 2025	Interest on ATO debts is no longer a tax deduction, making unpaid tax more expensive	ATO

Figures for ASIC fees, minimum wage and the write-off are as reported by business.gov.au for 1 July 2026. The $20,000 write-off is now law: the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 2) Act 2026 (assented 26 August 2026) permanently replaced the $1,000 threshold in Subdivision 328-D of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 with $20,000, for assets first used or installed ready for use on or after 1 July 2026 (see the Federal Register of Legislation).

Rules that did not change but drive the workload

Company tax rate: 25% for base rate entities (aggregated turnover under $50 million and no more than 80% passive income), 30% otherwise.
Small business entity test: aggregated turnover under $10 million for most small business concessions, including the simplified depreciation rules.
GST registration: required once GST turnover reaches $75,000 (or $150,000 for non-profit bodies); taxi and ride-sourcing drivers must register regardless.
Small business income tax offset for sole traders and individuals with business income from partnerships or trusts: 16% of the tax on net small business income, capped at $1,000, for businesses with aggregated turnover under $5 million.
Record keeping: business records generally kept for at least five years.
STP finalisation for the year ending 30 June 2026: due by 14 July 2026 for most employees.

Measures from the 2026–27 Budget

The Budget was delivered on 12 May 2026. Several of its measures have since been legislated in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026 (assented 26 June 2026) and the Tax Reform No. 2 Act 2026 (assented 26 August 2026); the others are still announcements. The table shows the status as at October 2026.

Measure	Status and start
Loss carry back for companies that are not significant global entities, refunding tax paid in the previous two income years, capped at the franking account balance	Legislated (Tax Reform No. 2 Act, ITAA 1997 Division 160); income years starting on or after 1 July 2026
Opt-in monthly PAYG instalments	Announced; 1 July 2027
CGT: for individuals and trusts the 50% discount ends for CGT events from 1 July 2027 (new residential dwellings excepted), replaced by indexation of the cost base for growth after 30 June 2027; 30% minimum tax on resident individuals' capital gains; assets held on 30 June 2027 keep the discount on growth to that date; the small business CGT concessions (Division 152) still apply after these steps	Legislated (Tax Reform No. 1 Act); CGT events from 1 July 2027
Minimum 30% tax on discretionary trusts (primary production, fixed and charitable trusts excluded), with rollover relief for restructures	Announced; 1 July 2028, rollover from 1 July 2027
Working Australians Tax Offset of up to $250 a year on net labour income, including sole traders' business income	Legislated (Tax Reform No. 1 Act, ITAA 1997 Subdivision 61-E); 2027–28
Loss refundability for new small start-ups, capped by FBT and withholding tax paid	Announced; 2028–29

The CGT changes and the trust proposal are likely to increase demand for restructuring and valuation advice over 2027 and 2028, for example to decide whether to rely on a market valuation or the apportioning method for assets held on 30 June 2027. That advice can be expensive, so ask for a written scope, and do not restructure on the strength of the trust announcement alone.

What these changes mean for your accounting fee

Payday Super means more frequent payroll checks. If your BAS agent reconciles super, expect the scope to change. See Payday Super mistakes and costs.
Non-deductible GIC makes late payment more costly; see ATO penalties and interest.
AML/CTF: an accountant who now provides regulated services may ask for more identity documents at onboarding. That is a legal obligation, not red tape invented by the firm.
Higher ASIC fees are small but appear on every company invoice; see the company tax return cost guide.

How to keep up without paying for it

Read the ATO's "new legislation" pages and business.gov.au's news section once a quarter.
Ask your accountant for a short written note on changes that affect you each June.
Distinguish announced from legislated: Budget measures often change before they pass.

Frequently asked questions

Is the instant asset write-off threshold still $20,000?

Yes. Since the Tax Reform No. 2 Act 2026, the $20,000 threshold is a permanent part of the law for small businesses with aggregated turnover under $10 million, for assets first used or installed ready for use from 1 July 2026. Buying an asset only for the deduction rarely makes sense, because the deduction is worth only your tax rate times the cost.

Do I still pay super quarterly?

No. From 1 July 2026 super is due with each payment of wages. Contributions generally need to reach the employee's fund within 7 days.

Has the trust minimum tax started?

No. It was announced for 1 July 2028 and depends on legislation. Do not restructure without specific advice.

Is the company tax rate changing?

No change to the 25% and 30% rates was in force as at the date of this guide.

Sources and where to check

Australian Taxation Office — new legislation pages, Payday Super, instant asset write-off status
business.gov.au — "Changes for businesses from 1 July 2026" and the 2026–27 Budget summary
ASIC — current fee schedule
Fair Work Ombudsman — minimum wages and awards
AUSTRAC — AML/CTF obligations for professional services
Treasury — Budget papers and exposure drafts