State Taxes and Duties (LAWS70130)

The Australian states and territories levy a wide number of taxes on business and individuals, including payroll tax, land tax, duties on conveyances, leases and other transfers, workers’ compensation levies and numerous smaller taxes. Interpreting and complying with this multitude of taxes, only some of which are harmonised across state borders, poses significant challenges for Australian businesses and state revenue agencies alike. Many jurisdictions are enacting more comprehensive anti-avoidance and business entity rules in key state taxes, for example, those applying to trusts or corporate groups, and there is increasing litigation on state taxes in courts around the country. Greater attention is also being paid to fundamental reform of state taxes. This subject will provide tax professionals with an advanced knowledge of the structure and practical operation of state taxes and duties in a commercial context, taking account of the most recent trends and developments in this field.

This subject will consider in detail the operation of various state taxes and duties, in particular:

• Stamp duties
• Land tax
• Payroll tax and workers’ compensation levies.

Principal topics will include:

• Detailed analysis of the new ‘uniform’ stamp duties legislation adopted in Victoria and various other jurisdictions
• Consideration of stamp duty liabilities on various business and commercial transactions
• Comparison to the ‘old style’ stamp duty legislation retained in other jurisdictions
• Consideration of Victorian land tax and comparison to the position in other jurisdictions
• Consideration of Victorian payroll tax and workers’ compensation levies, and comparison to the position in other jurisdictions.