Budget 2026: The bombshell that could reshape your portfolio overnight

A potential two-speed property market is emerging in Australia, and investors who misunderstand upcoming tax changes could find themselves on the wrong side of it. On The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant speaks with Sam Khalil, founder of DPN, about how the 2026 budget could reshape property taxation and investor strategy. Tarrant highlights growing uncertainty around tax settings for new versus existing properties, warning that investors may soon need to adapt to a split system that changes how returns are assessed. Khalil argues that success will come down to strategy, not sentiment, with investors needing to focus on yield, capital growth, and long-term structure rather than reacting to policy noise. The discussion challenges the "new versus old" debate, with Khalil pointing to dual-income new builds, depreciation benefits, and demand-driven locations as key drivers of stronger outcomes. He also warns that many investors are losing ground due to poor property management decisions, with cost-cutting leading to lower yields and long-term asset degradation. The episode closes with a broader policy warning as Khalil argues that housing affordability won't be solved by tax changes alone, but by unlocking supply through planning reform and better land use. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email [email protected] for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.