NSW land tax: Godolphin Australia Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue – thoroughbred horse properties exempt from land tax as ‘used for primary production’ despite emphasis on training for race wins

On 13.4.22, the NSW Supreme Court held that Godolphin was entitled to exemption from land tax, on 2 of its properties in the Hunter Valley as ‘land used for primary production’ under s10AA(3)(b) of the Land Tax Management Act 1956 (NSW). The Court held that the dominant use of the properties was for the maintenance…

Trustees of the Collins Retirement Fund v CofT – GST payable on sale of subdivided lots because ‘turnover’ included the sales proceeds

The AAT has held that an SMSF, that sold subdivided residential lots, was subject to GST on their sale, despite not being registered for GST. This was on the basis that it was ‘required to be registered’, which, in turn, depended on whether their sales proceeds could be excluded from the relevant turnover calculations. This…

CofT v Carter – High Court rules that ‘disclaimers’ of trust interests do not operate ‘retrospectively’ for tax purposes (arguably quite unfair)

The High Court held (on 6.4.22) that a beneficiary, who disclaimed their ‘default’ right to a trust’s income (on becoming aware of it) did not succeed in avoiding tax on the income they were entitled to and the end of the relevant year. ‘Disclaimer’ might ‘undo’ an equitable right, created unilaterally, but for equitable rights,…

Federal Budget 2022–23 – ‘patent box’ extensions, 120% training and technologies deductions, ‘cost of living tax offset’ confusion

On Tuesday 29.3.22, the Federal Treasurer, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP, handed down the Federal Budget 2022–23. The Government introduced a package of three Bills the next day and they were passed, by both houses, that same day (30.3.22) – see related TT article and Budget Paper No.2 (Receipts/Treasury). Many of the tax-related announcements were easy…

Tax Month – April 2022

T a x  T e c h n i c a l  –  M o n t h l y  N e w s – April 2022 Edition – ‘Tax Developments’ for tax practitioners by a tax practitioner.   Compiled by F John Morgan A member of the Victorian Bar (www.FJMtax.com) Table of Contents ______________________________________________________________________________  …

Employee Share Schemes disclosure relief provisions in Bill giving effect to the 2022 Budget announcements

Schedule 4 to the  Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Support and Other Measures) Bill 2022 (‘main Bill‘) introduces amendments make it easier for businesses to create employee share schemes, which the Explanatory Memorandum described as follows. In essence they are relief from the Corporations Act requirements for disclosure and obtaining a an Australian financial services licence.…

Bills for Budget measures introduced – cost of living; Employee Share Schemes (ESS) & new DGRs

Immediately following the 29.3.2022 Federal Budget (viz: on 30.3.22) the Government introduced legislation to enact the taxation, levy, tax refund and other social security measures announced. The Bills are the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Support and Other Measures) Bill 2022 and 2 accompanying Bills – the Excise Tariff Amendment (Cost of Living Support) Bill 2022 and…