Can a business owned by a trust be valued for CGT?

Trusts with at least one eligible beneficiary are inside the 30 June 2027 rule

From 1 July 2027 the 50% CGT discount for individuals and trusts (including partners’ shares of partnership gains) is generally replaced, for growth after that date, by cost base indexation, and Australian resident individuals, including beneficiaries who receive a trust’s gains, generally pay at least 30% tax on those gains. Gains built up before then can keep the discount when the asset is eventually sold, if the usual conditions are met.

To split the two periods, the trustee is generally treated as selling and buying back the trust’s relevant CGT assets at market value just before 1 July 2027, where the conditions are met. No tax falls due then. That is why the valuation date is 30 June 2027.

The key condition is that at least one beneficiary could get the CGT discount, such as an Australian resident individual. A trust whose only beneficiaries are companies, complying super funds or foreign residents may fall outside the rule.

A valuation is one way to set that figure, not a legal requirement. A trustee may instead be able to use an apportioning method the Government is still finalising (released in draft in August 2026, not yet made, and expected to cover only real property and assets without a readily ascertainable market value). Your tax adviser decides which suits.

What gets valued depends on the trust

Nobody values “the trust” in the abstract. The question is which CGT asset, held by whom.

The split matters. Goodwill is a CGT asset, while equipment, vehicles and trading stock are generally dealt with under other tax rules. One total leaves your adviser to unpick it.

If the trust owns the premises, a property valuer values the building separately. We value businesses and business interests only.

Cost and timing for a trust

A full valuation report on one business or interest is a fixed $999 + GST. The fixed fee applies once we confirm the interest, purpose, structure and records fit the fixed-fee scope. Anything outside it is quoted in writing before we start. Each additional interest, such as a unitholder’s units, is $795 + GST. Groups with several trusts or a holding company: Quoted in writing.

A valuation as at 30 June 2027 is prepared after that date, once your records to 30 June 2027 are available. You can book your place now. Preparation can start now with the trust deed, any unitholders agreement and a list of what the trustee holds.