ByLawyers News and Updates

1 January updates – All states

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1 January updates are always a big focus for By Lawyers. While the profession takes a well-earned break By Lawyers remains hard at work ensuring our publications are updated for legislative and regulatory changes that take effect from the new year.

Updates

This year’s 1 January updates for relevant jurisdictions include:

Land tax

In New South Wales and Victoria, land tax is calculated for the calendar year. Threshold values increase annually.

In New South Wales, the 2022 threshold combined land value has increased to $822,000 for all liable land. Special trusts and non-concessional companies are excepted. A marginal tax rate of 1.6% of the aggregate taxable value above the tax-free threshold, plus $100 applies from 1 January. If the aggregate taxable value exceeds the premium rate threshold of $5,026,000 then $61,876 is payable, plus a marginal tax rate of 2% over that amount.

In Victoria, the tax-free threshold for general land tax has increased to $300,000. The trust surcharge threshold remains at $25,000.

All relevant commentary and precedents in the By Lawyers Conveyancing and Property and Trusts guides for each relevant state will be updated for these new threshold amounts from 1 January.

By Lawyers Contract of sale of land

The 2022 edition of the By Lawyers contract will be available 1 January in the Sale of real property publications for Victoria and New South Wales. The contract is located in the Contract folder on the matter plan.

Leases and subleases

In New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia the 2022 editions of lease and sub-lease precedents will be available from 1 January. these are found in the Leases – Act for Lessor section of each Leases publication.

Keeping up to date

In addition to our 1 January updates, By Lawyers updates our publications for 1 June and other regulated adjustments where necessary.

Of course we always update our content for relevant legislative amendments and other legal developments throughout the year, in all jurisdictions, as required.

Keeping up to date is one of the ways By Lawyers help our subscribers enjoy practice – and holidays – more!

The team at By Lawyers wishes everyone a prosperous and safe 2022.

Paid parental leave – Fed

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Employment law – Paid parental leave amendments

The Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Work Test) Act 2019 has made the following changes to the ‘work test’ under the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010:

  1. The insertion of s 33(2A) which provides for the work test period for a pregnant woman in an unsafe job. The period begins 13 months immediately before the woman had to cease work if the cessation was due to the hazards connected with her work posing a risk to the pregnancy; and
  2. The permissible break in the work test period provided for in s 36 has increased from 8 weeks to 12 weeks between two working days.

These amendments commence form 1 January 2020.

The By Lawyers Employment Law commentary has been updated accordingly.

By Lawyers wish everyone a happy and safe festive season.

NSW – OSR changes

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First Home owner

  • First Home New Home scheme ended 30 June 2017 and was replaced by First Home Buyers Assistance scheme. From 1 July 2017 first home buyers of new OR existing homes to the value of $650,000 will pay no duty. Concessions are available between $650,000 and $800,000. There is no change to the caps for vacant land which are exemption to $350,000 and concession from $350,000 – $450,000.
  • First Home Owner Grant (New Homes) scheme property caps are amended from 1 July 2017. The cap for purchasing a new home is $600,000, or $750,000 for the house and land when building a new home under a home building contract or by an owner builder.

Shared Equity Scheme.

A person may purchase a property with an approved equity partner. Subject to eligibility the home buyer may apply for first home buyers assistance and grants. Subsequent transfers from the equity partner to the home buyer are exempt from duty. Principal place of residence land tax exemption is applicable from 2018 tax year.

New Home Grant scheme.

The $5,000 grant for any purchaser of a new home ends 30 June 2017.

Payment of duty in off the plan purchases.

From 1 July 2017 the 12 month duty liability deferral is only available to purchasers who declare their intention to occupy the property as their principal place of residence. If the property is not occupied for 6 months commencing within 12 months of completion interest and penalty tax apply from the lability date.

Foreign Purchaser Surcharge Duty.

Foreign Purchaser Surcharge Duty has increased from 4% to 8% .

Commercial residential property is exempt – retrospective to 21 June 2016.

Permanent residents, including NZ citizens holding a special category visa, are exempt from the surcharge on their principal place of residence if they occupy the home for a continuous period of 200 days within 12 months of purchase.

Australian-based developers will pay surcharge purchaser duty when purchasing the land however may be entitled to a refund on the sale of a new home built by them, if they are an Australian corporation.

Foreign Person Land Tax Surcharge.

From the 2018 tax year the surcharge land tax rate will increase from 0.75% to 2% and commercial residential property will be exempt. Permanent residents, including NZ citizens holding a special category visa, are exempt from the surcharge on their principal place of residence if they occupy the home for a continuous period of 200 days within the land tax year.

Australian-based developers will pay surcharge land tax, however may be entitled to a refund on the sale of a new home built by them if they are an Australian corporation.

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