Live Q&A: the tax changes reshaping wealth building in 2026

In this live episode of Australian Investors Podcast, Owen Rask teams up with James Phelan to unpack the tax and wealth changes investors are trying to make sense of right now. Recorded in front of a live audience at Ultra Meetup, this conversation cuts through the headlines and focuses on what actually matters if you own property, invest through a trust, or are weighing up shares, super and debt. Owen and James break down the proposed changes to family trusts and bucket companies, why negative gearing and capital gains tax have become such a flashpoint, and how debt recycling is being interpreted more tightly after recent ATO guidance. They also explore what these shifts could mean for SMSFs, geared ETFs, gifting to kids, sequencing risk and the broader question facing many Australians: if the old playbook is changing, what should thoughtful investors do next? Rather than offering scare campaigns or silver bullets, this episode is a practical Q&A on how to think through the new rules, the trade-offs they create and the strategies people are likely to revisit as the policy landscape evolves. If you want a grounded take on trusts, property, CGT and wealth-building after the latest Budget proposals, this is a timely listen. This episode was recorded at the Royal Society of Victoria. You can learn more at their website ⁠https://www.rsv.org.au/⁠ or their Instagram ⁠  / royalsocietyvic   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction & Overview 01:24 Sponsors 02:25 Meet James Phelan 03:44 Budget Changes Summary 08:14 Family Trust Changes 09:53 Bucket Companies Dead? 10:18 Negative Gearing Alternatives 13:16 CGT Changes Explained 17:31 Gifting to Kids 19:56 Debt Recycling Explained 23:52 Audience Q&A 30:15 Listener Questions 47:33 Live Q&A Continues 49:37 Wrap Up & Resources Episode resources Speak with the Rask Advice team: https://rask.com.au/advice Ask a question (select the Investors podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources ETF investor? Go beyond ordinary with Global X: View all funds https://www.globalxetfs.com.au Visit TermPlus to learn more https://termplus.com.au/?utm_source=r... Join Pearler using the code "RASKSWITCH" and get $32 of Pearler Credit: https://bit.ly/Pearler Whatever comes next for your business, power it with Stripe: https://stripe.com EOFY deals to know about - ending June/July 2026 1 free trade per month, for 12 months, for new Pearler customers: https://bit.ly/Pearler Rask resources All services: https://bit.ly/R-services Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media Instagram:   / rask.invest   TikTok:   / rask.invest   DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg