The Taxation Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 (WA) has passed the WA Legislative Assembly without amendment and has moved to the Legislative Council.
It proposes to amend the Duties Act 2008 (WA), Land Tax Assessment Act 2002 (WA), Pay-roll Tax Assessment Act 2002 (WA), and Taxation Administration Act 2003 (WA), to improve the efficacy of existing WA tax exemptions for charitable institutions. According to the WA Government, the amendments are in response to its concerns following a WA State Administrative Tribunal decision which held that the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry was a charitable organisation, and therefore eligible for WA taxation exemptions.
Broadly, the amendments contained in the Bill seek to narrow the scope of the existing payroll tax, transfer duty and land tax exemptions as they apply to “fourth limb” charities (ie organisations that promote other purposes considered beneficial to the community). The amendments will apply on the day after the Bill receives Royal Assent.
[LTN 165, 27/8/14]