Sladen Snippet - Court allows trustee to amend trust deed to exclude foreign beneficiaries to avoid land tax surcharge

Sladen Snippet - Court allows trustee to amend trust deed to exclude foreign beneficiaries to avoid land tax surcharge

Many states now have foreign land tax surcharges that apply to foreign persons including trustee of foreign trusts. As a result many trustees will consider amending their trust deeds to ensure that they don’t inadvertently trigger such surcharges.

Payroll Tax Series – Part 6 - Contractors

Payroll Tax Series – Part 6 - Contractors

Payroll tax captures not only wages paid to employees but also certain payments made to contractors. In this part 6 of our payroll tax series, we look at what is a contractor and what payments to contractors are caught by the payroll tax regime. In part 7 we will examine the exemptions that apply to contractors.

Payroll Tax Series – Part 7 - Contractor Exemptions

Payroll Tax Series – Part 7 - Contractor Exemptions

As follow on from part 6 of our payroll tax series, where we identified when payments to contractors will be caught by the payroll tax system, in this article we consider the various exemptions that can apply to such payments to contactors. Importantly, if any of these exemptions apply, such payments to contractors will not be subject to payroll tax.

Payroll Tax Series – Part 8 – Employment Agency Contracts

Payroll Tax Series – Part 8 – Employment Agency Contracts

In part 8 of our payroll tax series, we explore how payments under an employment agency contract may be subject to payroll tax. The employment agency contracts were initially inserted into the Victorian Payroll Tax Act 2007 (the Act) as an anti-avoidance measure to capture not only traditional employment agency arrangement but also the interposition of entities

Payroll Tax Series – Part 9 – General Exemptions

Payroll Tax Series – Part 9 – General Exemptions

In part 9 of our payroll tax series, we explore the different types of payroll tax exemptions employers may qualify for. While we will refer to theVictorian legislation, these principles apply across all States and Territories as the payroll tax legislation is uniformed across Australia.

Payroll Tax Series – Part 10 – Payroll Tax Grouping

Payroll Tax Series – Part 10 – Payroll Tax Grouping

In this 10th part of our payroll tax series, we explore the grouping provisions contained in the Payroll Tax 2007 (PTA 2007). While we will refer to the Victorian legislation, similar provisions exist in all states and territories due to a harmonisation of the law.

Payroll Tax Series – Part 11 - Payroll Tax De-Grouping

Payroll Tax Series – Part 11 - Payroll Tax De-Grouping

In this 11th and final part of our payroll tax series, we explore the payroll tax de-grouping provisions. While we will refer to the Victorian legislation, similar provisions exist in all states and territories due to a harmonisation of the law.

“Stamping” Of Trust Deeds In Victoria

“Stamping” Of Trust Deeds In Victoria

While the application of land transfer (stamp) duty is reasonably straight forward for land transfers such as a purchase of property under a contract of sale, the application of duty in relation to declarations of trust can be complicated.

Model agency found to be an employment agent for payroll tax purposes

Model agency found to be an employment agent for payroll tax purposes

An employment agency contract involves a contract between two parties where one of the parties (the employment agent) procures the services of a person for a client. The relevant test is whether the employment agent provided individuals who would comprise, or who would be added to, the workforce of the client for the conduct of the client's business.

State tax COVID-19 reliefs 2.0

State tax COVID-19 reliefs 2.0

In April 2020 we reported on Land Tax and Payroll Tax measures state and territory revenue offices made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As the ramifications of COVID-19 continue to affect Australians, these measures have since been extended and new measures announced.

Duty payable on discharge of vendor’s debt by purchaser of land

Duty payable on discharge of vendor’s debt by purchaser of land

In the recent decision of Gulliman Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue [2020] VCAT 804, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Tribunal) held that the discharge of debt owed by vendor to purchaser in respect of previous transaction amounts to non-monetary consideration and, therefore, was subject to land transfer (stamp) duty.

Court determines payments to a contractor not subject to payroll tax as services found to be ancillary to the supply or use of the goods

Court determines payments to a contractor not subject to payroll tax as services found to be ancillary to the supply or use of the goods

Payments made to independent contractors, under “relevant contracts”, are subject to payroll tax under the Payroll Tax Act 2007 (Vic) unless an exemption applies.

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.

Sladen Snippet - VCAT rules land being prepared for primary production and denies exemption from land tax

Sladen Snippet - VCAT rules land being prepared for primary production and denies exemption from land tax

Most Victorian farmers who are using Victorian land solely or primarily for primary production purposes are aware of the primary production land tax exemptions under section 65, 66 or 67 (Primary Production Land Exemptions) of the Land Tax Act 2005 (the Act).

Sladen Snippet –Trust deeds of discretionary trusts holding NSW residential land must now be amended before 31 December 2020 to avoid foreign surcharges

Sladen Snippet –Trust deeds of discretionary trusts holding NSW residential land must now be amended before 31 December 2020 to avoid foreign surcharges

As referred to in our previous articles, the State Revenue Legislation Further Amendment Bill 2020 (NSW) has now received royal assent on 24 June 2020.

Primary production land tax exemption knocked back – the Annat case

Primary production land tax exemption knocked back – the Annat case

Annat v Commissioner of State Revenue [2020] VSC 108 (Annat) highlights the real risk faced by some farm owners in qualifying for a primary production land tax exemption .

Due to the Victorian State Revenue Office’s approach and scrutiny on primary production lands of late, traditional farming land owners are finding that they now must understand the difficult legislative requirements surrounding primary production land tax exemptions, the resulting structuring and record keeping requirements to ensure that they are not unintentionally exposing themselves to large land tax liabilities.