Sladen Snippet – COVID-19: The Victorian Government announced further tax relief measures

State and territory revenue offices made land tax and payroll tax measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We outlined a summary of the measures as at 1 September 2020 here.

On 10 September 2020, the Victorian Government announced further tax relief measures for business and property owners affected by COVID-19, including:

  • A full waiver of 2021 vacant residential land tax for properties that are vacant for more than six months in 2020;

  • A 25% waiver of 2020 congestion (car park) levy liabilities; and

  • Deferral of any outstanding 2020 congestion (car park) levy balances until 31 March 2021.

On 13 September 2020, the Government announced that the 50% stamp duty discount for commercial or industrial properties in all of regional Victoria will be brought forward to 1 January 2021.  This is a further extension of the current tax relief measures from bushfire affected areas only to all of regional Victoria.

To qualify for this duty concession, the dutiable property must be solely or primarily used for a qualifying commercial or industrial land use for a continuous period of at least 12 months, commencing in the two years following the date of transfer.

If you have any questions, please contact one of our state taxes specialists:

Phil Broderick
Principal
T +61 3 9611 0163  l M +61 419 512 801   
E: pbroderick@sladen.com.au       

Denise Tan
Senior Associate
T +61 3 9611 0160  | M +61 438 714 965
E: dtan@sladen.com.au  

Laura Spencer
Senior Associate
T +61 3 9611 0110 | M 0436 436 718
E: lspencer@sladen.com.au

Lucy Liang
Graduate Lawyer
E lliang@sladen.com.au 

Phil Broderick