New Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Takes Effect From 1 July 2024 –Key FAQs

New Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Takes Effect From 1 July 2024 –Key FAQs

The new Commercial and Industrial Property Tax reform that progressively abolishes stamp duty on relevant transactions from 1 July 2024 is one of the most significant Victorian property tax reforms in the past 30 years and will impact anyone looking to buy or sell commercial or industrial property.

Water Pipeline Subject To Duty As “Goods” For The Purpose Of The New South Wales Landholder Duty Provisions in Conexa Syndey Holdings

Water Pipeline Subject To Duty As “Goods” For The Purpose Of The New South Wales Landholder Duty Provisions in Conexa Syndey Holdings

On 24 May 2024 the New South Wales Supreme Court held that landholder duty applied to value of a water carrying pipeline in Conexa Sydney Holdings Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (2024] NSWSC 628.

Godolphin case: High Court decision considers the “dominant use” test under the NSW land tax primary production exemption

Godolphin case: High Court decision considers the “dominant use” test under the NSW land tax primary production exemption

The High Court has dismissed an appeal by Godolphin Australia Pty Ltd (Godolphin) and confirmed that it cannot claim the primary production land tax exemption, as it was unable to show that the “dominant use” of its properties was for primary production where it also had substantial horseracing activities.  The decision illustrates the issues that can arise when primary production land is used as part of business models that include other interrelated activities.

GP Tax – Payroll tax changes flagged in Victoria

GP Tax – Payroll tax changes flagged in Victoria

In a major backdown, the Victorian State Government has agreed to reduce some of the impact of the recent policy shifts towards taxing general practitioners as employees for payroll tax purposes.

State Taxation Amendment Bill 2024 – Welcome expansion of holiday home exemption for vacant residential land tax to properties in trusts

State Taxation Amendment Bill 2024 – Welcome expansion of holiday home exemption for vacant residential land tax to properties in trusts

On 14 May 2024, the State Taxation Amendment Bill 2024 (Vic) (the Bill) was released after having its second reading speech in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.

Dwayne Taylor – Primary production land exemption ‘dominant purpose’ test win for taxpayer

Dwayne Taylor – Primary production land exemption ‘dominant purpose’ test win for taxpayer

The recent case of Dwayne Taylor FT Pty Limited as trustee for Dwayne Taylor Family Trust and DA and P Taylor v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2024] NSWCATAD 80 is a win for taxpayers, but does illustrates the issues that can arise when primary production land is used as part of business models that include other interrelated activities.

Payroll tax crackdown on medical and allied health practices continues – revenue authorities release rulings

Payroll tax crackdown on medical and allied health practices continues  – revenue authorities release rulings

Employers and business entities must pay payroll tax in relation to wages paid to its employees. In addition, such entities must pay payroll tax in relation to contractors engaged under “relevant contracts”.

A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 1 Overview of Land Tax

A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 1 Overview of Land Tax

What is land tax

Land tax is a state and territory tax. It is an annual tax that is levied by the state authorities of each state and territory based on the total taxable value of land held in the particular jurisdiction.

VCAT finds the sub-sale double duty provisions are triggered due to land development

VCAT finds the sub-sale double duty provisions are triggered due to land development

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s (VCAT) decision in Hartman v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and Regulation) [2022] VCAT 28 (Hartman Case) is a rare decision on the application of the sub-sale “double duty” provisions in the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) (Act).

Tribunal decision shows the difficulty of satisfying the primary production land tax exemption for farm land that is leased

Tribunal decision shows the difficulty of satisfying the primary production land tax exemption for farm land that is leased

The primary production land tax exemption remains an important concession for farmers and the owners of farm land. The Civil and Administrative Tribunal of New South Wales has added to the list of recent land tax cases offering insight into the application of the primary production land tax exemption.

A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 2 Land held on Trust

A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 2 Land held on Trust

What is land tax

Land tax is a state and territory tax. It is an annual tax that is levied by the state authorities of each state and territory based on the total taxable value of land held in the particular jurisdiction.

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 3 – Foreign (Absentee Owner) surcharge and the vacant residential land tax surcharge

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 3 – Foreign (Absentee Owner) surcharge and the vacant residential land tax surcharge

As discussed in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, land tax is a state and territory tax levied on the total taxable value of land held by taxpayers in particular jurisdictions. In the case of foreign owners who are deemed to be absent from their properties, additional land tax may be levied on the taxable value of such properties. In Victoria, the foreign person land tax surcharge is known as the absentee owner surcharge regime.

A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 4 Aggregation, Grouping and “Degrouping”

A Guide To Understanding Land Tax: Part 4 Aggregation, Grouping and “Degrouping”

As discussed in Part 1 and Part 2 of this series, land tax is levied on the total taxable value of land held by a taxpayer in a particular jurisdiction. Land tax is then levied on a progressive graduated scale. That is, the higher the value of land that you own the higher the rate of land tax you pay.

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 5 Valuations

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 5 Valuations

As discussed in this Land Tax Series, land tax is a state and territory tax levied on the total taxable value of land held by taxpayers in particular jurisdictions. Land tax is assessed on a calendar year basis on the land you own at midnight on 31 December.

A guide to understanding Land Tax Part 6: Principal place of residence exemption

A guide to understanding Land Tax Part 6: Principal place of residence exemption

In this Part 6 in our series of articles on land tax we examine the principal place of residence (PPR) exemption and the requirements to satisfy the exemption under the Land Tax Act 2005 (Vic) (LTA).

Windfall Gains Tax - legislation released – certain concessions granted

Windfall Gains Tax - legislation released – certain concessions granted

In line with the 2021/22 Victorian Budget announcements and following targeted consultations with various stakeholders, the Victorian Government has recently tabled a Bill to introduce the windfall gains tax - Windfall Gains Tax and State Taxation and Other Acts Further Amendment Bill 2021 (Bill).

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 7 - Primary Production Exemption

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 7 - Primary Production Exemption

This is part 7 of our Land Tax Series which aims to deconstruct the various aspects of the complex land tax legislation.

A guide to understanding Land Tax Part 8: Charities, sporting clubs, not for profits and other exemptions

A guide to understanding Land Tax Part 8: Charities, sporting clubs, not for profits and other exemptions

In this Part 8 in our series of articles on land tax we examine the charities exemption as well as some other exemptions under the Land Tax Act 2005 (Vic) (LTA).

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 9 – Objections

A Guide to Understanding Land Tax: Part 9 – Objections

To recap: land tax is a state and territory tax levied on the total taxable value of land held by taxpayers in particular jurisdictions. Land tax is assessed on a calendar year basis on the land you own at midnight on 31 December.

Managing Tax and Revenue Office Audits During COVID-19

Managing Tax and Revenue Office Audits During COVID-19

As the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt across Australia, federal and state governments continue to take measures to stimulate the economy and provide financial assistance to taxpayers.