Expand the sections below read the State Budget measures announced for the financial year.

  • The Statutes Amendment (Budget Measures) Act 2023 was assented to on Thursday, 7 December 2023

    The 2023-24 State Budget, handed down on 15 June 2023, announces the following taxation measures:

    1. Introduction of stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers who enter into a contract to purchase a new home or vacant land to build a new home on or after 15 June 2023.
    2. Increase in the property value cap for the first home owner grant (FHOG) in relation to eligible transactions entered into on or after 15 June 2023 from $575,000 to $650,000.
    3. Introduction of a land tax reduction for eligible build-to-rent projects where construction commences on or after 1 July 2023.
    4. Various administrative amendments relating to the emergency services levy including allowing the Commissioner of State Taxation to collect the emergency services levy from either a landowner and/or a private shack lessee.

    The legislative amendments to implement the above measures are contained in the Statutes Amendment (Budget 2023) Bill 2023 (the “Bill”) which was introduced into Parliament on Thursday, 15 June 2023. The operation of these legislative measures is subject to the Bill coming into force as an Act.

    Stamp Duty

    The Bill introduces stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers who enter into a contract to purchase a new home or vacant land to build a new home on or after 15 June 2023.

    A full stamp duty relief applies on the purchase of an eligible new home valued up to $650,000, with the relief progressively phasing out for properties valued up to $700,000.

    For the purchase of vacant land on which a new home will be built, full stamp duty relief applies for vacant land valued up to $400,000 with the relief phasing out for land valued up to $450,000.

    Eligibility

    The eligibility criteria for stamp duty relief for first home buyers is based on those currently applicable to the first home owner grant.

    Accordingly, stamp duty relief will be available to a first home buyer if they:

    • are a natural person;
    • are an Australian citizen or permanent resident (one individual needs to meet this for a joint application);
    • and/or their spouse/domestic partner have not:
      • received stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers under this scheme (or a similar scheme in another state or territory) previously (applies to all applicants in a joint application); and/or
      • previously held an interest in Australian residential property that they occupied for a continuous period of at least 6 months (applies to all applicants in a joint application); and
    • occupy the property as their principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least 6 months commencing within 12 months of when the property can be occupied (applies to at least 1 applicant in a joint application where other applicant(s) can demonstrate reasonable grounds for non-compliance).

    If you are a first home owner purchasing vacant land, you must build and move into your home as your principal place of residence within:

    • 12 months of the date the building becomes ready for occupation as a place of residence — generally when a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued by the builder; or
    • 36 months of the settlement date of the land;

    whichever of these dates occurs first.

    In the event that applications for the new stamp duty first home concession are received between 15 June 2023 and the day on which the necessary amending legislation comes into force, the relief will be made by way of ex gratia payment.

    The stamp duty relief for eligible first home buyers, like the first home owner grant, is not available on the purchase of an established home, including where the plan is to knock down and rebuild a new home.

    For more information see our stamp duty first home buyer relief page.

    First Home Owner Grant

    The property value cap for the first home owner grant will increase from $575,000 to $650,000 for contracts entered into on or after 15 June 2023 to purchase a new home or comprehensive building contract.

    If the commencement date of an eligible transaction is on or after 15 June 2023, the first home owner grant will not be available where the market value of the home exceeds $650,000.

    If the commencement date of an eligible transaction was prior to 15 June 2023, the first home owner grant will not be available where the market value of the home exceeds $575,000.

    The commencement date is determined as follows:

    in the case of:the commencement date is:
    a contract for the purchase of a homethe date the contract is made.
    a comprehensive building contract with a builderthe date the contract is made.
    the building of a home by an owner builderthe date when laying the foundations for the home commences, or another date the Commissioner of State Taxation (the “Commissioner”) considers appropriate in the circumstances of the case. The Commissioner considers that laying the foundations occurs on the date the concrete slab is laid.

    For more information see our first home owner grant page.

    Land Tax

    A land tax reduction for eligible build-to-rent projects on South Australian land, will be available where construction commences on or after 1 July 2023.

    This relief applies as a 50% reduction in the land value of relevant parcels of land, where the land is being used as an eligible build-to-rent project.

    The land tax reduction will be available from the 2023-24 financial year up to, and including, the 2039-40 financial year.

    For more information see our land tax concessions to promote new housing opportunities page.

    Emergency Services Levy

    Owners of some privately leased shack site groups have requested that RevenueSA send separate Notice of Emergency Services Levy Assessments to the lessees of the shack sites, as the responsibility of collecting the emergency services levy from lessees can be burdensome. Amendments are being made in the 2023-24 State Budget to the Emergency Services Funding Act 1998 to allow the Commissioner of State Taxation to collect the emergency services levy from either a landowner and/or a private shack lessee.

    Currently, lessees of private shack sites are not specifically provided for as an ‘owner’ from which emergency services levy can be collected, and Notices of Emergency Services Levy Assessments are issued to the lessors as the owners of the land.

    Following the changes, owners of privately leased shack sites could request the Commissioner of State Taxation to issue individual Notice of Emergency Services Levy Assessments to lessees, relieving the owner of the administrative difficulties of apportioning, collecting and paying the emergency services for their shack group.

  • The 2022-23 South Australian State Budget, was handed down on 2 June 2022.

    The Budget did not announce any new taxes, levies or duties, or any increases to existing taxes, levies or duties administered by RevenueSA.

    Changes to measures announced in the 2021-22 State Budget

    The previous State Budget announced the abolition of the payroll tax exemption for wages paid or payable by a motion picture production company, to an employee who is involved in the production of a feature film.

    The current government has considered this measure and have advised that the exemption will continue.

    Eligible employers may request the Treasurer consider their eligibility for the 2021-22 financial year.

  • The 2021-22 South Australian State Budget, handed down on 22 June 2021, contains a number of state revenue measures.

    The legislative amendments to implement the film production payroll tax and build-to-rent land tax measures are contained in the Statutes Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2021 which was introduced into Parliament on 22 June 2021. The operation of these measures is subject to the Bill coming into force as an Act.

    Payroll Tax

    Apprentices and Trainees Exemption

    Extension of eligibility period to 30 June 2022.

    Wages paid to new apprentices and trainees who commence a relevant training contract between 10 November 2020 and 30 June 2022 (inclusive), will receive relief equivalent to a 12 month payroll tax exemption.

    For more information see our Apprentices and Trainees page.

    Film Production Exemption

    Abolition of the payroll tax exemption and associated ex gratia relief for wages paid or payable by a motion picture production company, to an employee who is involved in the production of a feature film.

    This exemption will cease for wages paid on or after 1 July 2021.

    Land Tax

    Build-to-Rent Reduction

    Introduction of a land tax reduction for eligible build-to-rent projects on South Australian land, where construction commences on or after 1 July 2021.

    This will apply as a 50% reduction in the land value of relevant parcels of land, where the land is being used as an eligible build-to-rent project.

    The land tax reduction will be available from the 2022-23 financial year up to, and including, the 2039-40 financial year.

    More details will be released outlining eligibility criteria and application process.

    Transitional Land Tax Relief

    The transitional relief for eligible taxpayers impacted by the land tax reforms, will increase from 30% to 70% of the relevant increase for the 2021-22 financial year. All other eligibility criteria in relation to the relief remains unchanged.

    For more information see our Transitional Land Tax Relief page.

  • The following taxation measures were announced on 10 November 2020 by the Government as part of the 2020-21 State Budget.

    Payroll Tax

    Waiver

    A 6 month payroll tax waiver over the period, January 2021 to June 2021 (the monthly return periods for December 2020 to May 2021) for:

    • Businesses with grouped Australian wages up to $4 million (based on 2018-19 wages); and
    • Businesses with grouped Australian wages above $4 million who are eligible for JobKeeper from 4 January 2021.

    This relief is an extension to the COVID-19 payroll tax relief measures previously announced.

    Repayment option

    For employers who have deferred their payroll tax liabilities due to COVID-19, extended repayment instalment arrangement options will be made available.

    Apprentices and Trainees

    Relief will be provided equivalent to a 12 month payroll tax exemption for wages paid to eligible new apprentices and trainees who commence a relevant contract of training with an employer from 10 November 2020 to 30 June 2021.

    Ex gratia relief based on the payroll tax payable on the wages of the eligible apprentice or trainee will be provided for 12 months from the date of commencement of the relevant contract of training.

    For more information see our Apprentices and Trainees page.

    Other Taxation and Grant Measures

    Other previously announced COVID-19 taxation and grant related measures in the Budget include:

    Land tax

    • Relief for landlords and commercial owner occupiers.
    • Increase to land tax transition fund.
    • Deferral of third and fourth 2019-20 instalments.

    For more information see our Land Tax COVID-19 Relief page.

    Payroll tax

    • Waiver for employers with grouped Australian wages of up to $4 million
    • Deferral for employers with grouped Australian wages over $4 million
    • Payroll tax exemption for JobKeeper payments (Commonwealth)

    For more information see our Payroll Tax COVID-19 Relief page.

    Grants

    • HomeBuilder Grant (Commonwealth)
    • Relaxing Job Accelerator Grant (JAG) eligibility criteria

    For more information see our HomeBuilder and Job Accelerator Grant pages.

    Media Releases:

    State’s largest ever stimulus spend to help create thousands of jobs

  • The following taxation measures were announced by the Government as part of the 2019-20 State Budget handed down on 18 June 2019.


    Land Tax

    Amendments to the Land Tax Act 1936 to:

    • introduce improved land tax aggregation provisions and a surcharge on certain trusts; and
    • reduce the top marginal land tax rate.

    The Government has announced that the changes will apply from the 2020-21 financial year (land tax calculated on 30 June 2020). The final details of the arrangements are subject to consultation prior to implementation, and the approval of legislative amendments by Parliament.

    Aggregation and trust surcharge measures

    The Government will introduce improved land tax aggregation provisions and a surcharge on certain trusts to ensure that there is equity between taxpayers.

    In South Australia, land tax ownerships are aggregated together to ensure owners of land pay equivalent land tax rates on the total value of land regardless of the composition of land held.

    An improved approach to the aggregation of land for land tax purposes will be introduced in South Australia to look through separate legal structures to determine the true owner of land and include:

    • a shift to aggregation based on an owner’s interest in every piece of land, rather than only aggregating properties held in the same ownership structure;
    • introducing provisions to allow two or more related companies to be grouped for land tax purposes; and
    • introducing a surcharge on land owned in trusts in cases where the interests in land of trust beneficiaries are not disclosed by taxpayers or cannot be identified. Exceptions will be provided from the surcharge for certain trusts.

    Reduction in top marginal tax rate

    The Government will progressively reduce the top land tax rate from 1 July 2020 to increase the competiveness of the land tax system in South Australia.

    This measure will extend the existing reforms to land tax introduced in the Statutes Amendment and Repeal (Budget Measures) Act 2018, which increased the tax-free threshold for land tax to $450,000 and introduced a new lower marginal land tax rate of 2.9% for the value of ownerships between the existing top land tax threshold ($1.3 million) and $5 million from 1 July 2020.

    The existing top land tax rate for the value of ownerships above $5 million will now be progressively reduced by 0.1 percentage point each year from 3.7% in 2019-20 to 2.9% from 1 July 2027, as outlined in the table below.

    Rate Reduction Schedule

    Year

    Top marginal tax rate

    2019-20

    3.7%

    2020-21

    3.6%

    2021-22

    3.5%

    2022-23

    3.4%

    2023-24

    3.3%

    2024-25

    3.2%

    2025-26

    3.1%

    2026-27

    3.0%

    2027-28

    2.9%


    Payroll Tax

    Compliance

    In addition to the above land tax measures, the Government is providing additional funding for RevenueSA to undertake additional payroll tax compliance work.

    RevenueSA will expand existing and develop additional compliance programs focusing on businesses who have failed to register for payroll tax, the grouping of businesses, the use of contractors and other high risk areas.

  • The 2018-19 South Australian State Budget, handed down on 4 September 2018, contained a number of state revenue measures.

    The legislative amendments to implement these state revenue measures are contained in the Statutes Amendment and Repeal (Budget Measures) Act 2018 which was assented to on 22 November 2018.


    Third Party Reporting

    Amendments to the Taxation Administration Act 1996 and the Stamp Duties Act 1923 to facilitate RevenueSA collecting additional data, relating to real property transfers, on behalf of the Australian Government for foreign ownership and taxation reporting purposes. These amendments will come into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation.


    Payroll Tax

    Amendments to the Payroll Tax Act 2009 to:

    • remedy deficiencies in the owner-driver exemption within the contractor provisions; and
    • reflect changes to the income tax legislation relating to motor vehicle allowances for the purpose of determining the exempt component of a motor vehicle allowance paid to an employee.

    Stamp Duty

    Amendments to the Stamp Duties Act 1923 to:

    • expand the current stamp duty exemption for family farm transfers to include transfers involving companies limited to the family group; and
    • introduce a stamp duty exemption for multi-peril crop insurance policies from 1 January 2018.

    Land Tax

    Amendments to the Land Tax Act 1936 to:

    • increase the tax-free threshold to $450,000 from the 2020-21 financial year (land tax calculated on 30 June 2020); and
    • reduce the tax rate for land holdings valued between $1,000,000 and $5,000,000.
  • The 2017-18 South Australian State Budget, handed down on 22 June 2017, contained a number of measures relevant to taxes and grants administered by RevenueSA.

    The legislative changes to implement these measures were originally included in the Budget Measures Bill 2017. However, the Budget Measures Bill 2017 was withdrawn and replaced by a new Bill, the Stamp Duties (Foreign Ownership Surcharge) Amendment Bill 2017, which introduced the foreign ownership surcharge which was previously included in the Budget Measures Bill 2017, and increased the rate of the foreign ownership surcharge from 4% to 7%.

    The Stamp Duties (Foreign Ownership Surcharge) Amendment Bill 2017 received Royal Assent on 12 December 2017.

    General information in relation to the foreign owner surcharge can be found on the foreign ownership surcharge page.

    In regard to the other measures originally included in the Budget Measures Bill 2017, the Government has announced that it will grant payroll tax ex gratia relief that covers the amount that would be payable if the statutory rate of 4.95% cent was applied instead of the Government’s intended rate of 2.5% (or a rate in the phase out zone for payrolls between $1 million and $1.5 million). As per previous advice, RevNet will continue to calculate payroll tax at the lower rate (where applicable) with any required adjustments being made as part of the annual reconciliation process. Should you have questions in relation to this please contact our payroll tax team on 8204 9880 or payrolltax@sa.gov.au.

    The Government has also committed to the provision of ex gratia relief in relation to all the off-the-plan measures previously announced as part of the 2017-18 State Budget (this includes stamp duty concessions, the $10,000 housing construction grant for eligible purchases and the five year land tax exemption for eligible apartments bought off-the-plan where the contract is entered into between 22 June 2017 and 30 June 2018). Should you have questions in relation to this please contact housing grants team on 8226 3750 or fhog.support@sa.gov.au.

    The other amendments to tax and grant legislation announced as part of the 2017-18 State Budget, and previously included in the Budget Measures Bill 2017, will not proceed at this stage.

    2017 State Budget - 22 June 2017

    The 2017-18 South Australian State Budget, handed down on 22 June 2017 contains a number of measures relevant to taxes and grants administered by RevenueSA.

    The legislative changes to implement these measures (except for the changes to the Job Accelerator Grant which is an administrative scheme) are included in the Budget Measures Bill 2017 (the "Bill") which was introduced into Parliament today. The operation of these measures is subject to the Bill coming into force as an Act.

    Measures included in the 2017-18 State Budget are summarised in the table below.

    Measure

    Legislation

    Commencement Date

    Job Accelerator Grant payments increased by up to $5,000 for businesses that hire apprentices or trainees

     

    Scheme start date
    1 July 2016

    The off-the-plan stamp duty concession will be extended until 30 June 2018 but will be retargeted so that it no longer applies to foreign purchasers

    Stamp Duties Act 1923

    22 June 2017

    A $10,000 grant will be provided to eligible off-the-plan apartment purchasers where the contract is entered into between 22 June 2017 and 30 September 2017

    First Home and Housing Construction Grants Act 2000

    22 June 2017

    five year land tax exemption will apply to eligible apartments bought off-the-plan where the contract is entered into between 22 June 2017 and 30 June 2018

    Land Tax Act 1936

    Midnight 30 June 2017

    Payroll tax rate for small businesses lowered to 2.5%

    Payroll Tax Act 2009

    1 July 2017

    major bank levy for major banks offering services in South Australia will be introduced

     

    1 July 2017

    stamp duty surcharge of 7% will apply to foreign purchasers of South Australia residential property

    Stamp Duties Act 1923

    1 January 2018

    Job Accelerator Grant (JAG) payments increased by up to $5,000 for apprentices or trainees

    Businesses that register a new employee for a JAG will receive up to an additional $5,000 ($2,500 per year) if that employee is an eligible apprentice or trainee where the position is also deemed to be eligible for the JAG.

    The additional amounts will be paid in two equal instalments of $2,500 on the first and second year anniversary of employment.

    An apprentice or trainee will be eligible for the additional grant as long as they are being trained under an approved training contract in an occupation that is declared to be a ‘trade’ or ‘vocation’ under Section 6 of the Training and Skills Development Act 2008. A list of declared trades and vocations is available here.

    The additional $5,000 grant for apprentices and trainees will be backdated to 1 July 2016 so businesses that have already hired a new apprentice or trainee are eligible for the additional grant.

    RevenueSA will be updating the JAG system to allow payment of the additional $5,000 grant by 1 July 2017 or shortly thereafter. In the meantime, businesses can contact RevenueSA on 8226 2210 or jobsgrant@sa.gov.au to discuss the eligibility of their business for the additional grant.

    Please visit the Job Accelerator Grant page for more information on JAG.

    Off-the-plan stamp duty concession

    The off-the-plan stamp duty concession will be extended for a further 12 months to 30 June 2018.

    The concession will no longer be available to foreign purchasers that enter into an off-the-plan contract on or after 22 June 2017.

    The Stamp Duties Act 1923 will be amended to reflect these changes.

    Please visit the stamp duty off-the-plan concession page for more information on this concession.

    $10,000 grant to eligible off-the-plan apartment purchasers

    Purchasers that enter into an eligible off-the-plan apartment contract between 22 June 2017 and 30 September 2017 may be eligible to receive a $10,000 grant. The grant will be paid after settlement (generally around the time the stamp duty is paid by the purchaser).

    To be eligible for the grant the contract must be entered into before construction of the apartment complex commences (this equates to stage 1 of the off-the-plan stamp duty concession included in the Stamp Duties Act 1923).

    All other eligibility criteria applying to the off-the-plan stamp duty concession included in the Stamp Duties Act 1923 will also apply to the grant, including that the grant will not be available to foreign purchasers.

    The First Home and Housing Construction Grants Act 2000 will be amended to provide for the grant.

    How do I claim the grant?

    RevenueSA is developing an application form in order to claim the grant. This form will be available in advance of the grant becoming payable.

    Please visit the pre-construction grant for off-the-plan apartment page for more information on this grant.

    Five year land tax exemption for eligible apartments bought off-the-plan

    Apartments that are purchased off-the-plan will be exempt from any land tax that may be payable on the apartment for the first five financial years after purchase.

    The exemption applies to eligible contracts entered into between 22 June 2017 and 30 June 2018.

    The exemption will no longer apply if the apartment is sold before the end of the five year exemption period.

    The eligibility criteria for the exemption are the same as those that apply to the off-the-plan stamp duty concession included in the Stamp Duties Act 1923, including that the land tax exemption will not be available to foreign purchasers.

    The Land Tax Act 1936 will be amended to provide for the exemption.

    Please visit the land tax exemption page for more information on this exemption.

    Payroll tax rate for small businesses lowered to 2.5%

    The current small business payroll tax rebate will be replaced by a new tiered payroll tax rate structure from 1 July 2017.

    The payroll tax rate for businesses with Australian taxable payrolls between $600,000 and $1.0 million will be lowered from the current rate of 4.95% to 2.50%. The payroll tax rate will then phase up to the rate of 4.95% for businesses with Australian taxable payrolls above $1.5 million.

    The revised payroll tax rate structure is provided in the following table.

    Annual Australian Taxable Payroll

    Rate

    Does not exceed $600,000

    nil

    Exceeds $600,000 but not $1 million

    2.50%

    Exceeds $1 million but not $1.5 million

    variable from 2.50% to 4.95%

    Exceeds $1.5 million

    4.95%

    The revised payroll tax rate structure will apply to wages paid or payable on and after 1 July 2017.

    The Payroll Tax Act 2009 will be amended to reflect this revised rate structure.

    How will the payroll tax rate be determined for employers that lodge payroll tax returns on a monthly basis?

    The actual payroll tax rate that will apply for an employer cannot be finalised until the annual reconciliation process is completed in July each year.

    However, to ensure that eligible employers that lodge monthly payroll tax returns can pay payroll tax at the lower rates, an indicative payroll tax rate for the employer will be determined based on the employer’s estimated annual taxable Australian wages declared at the start of the financial year.

    Differences between the indicative payroll tax rate and actual payroll tax rate will be determined as part of the annual reconciliation process, with any over or under payment of payroll tax being resolved at that time. This will mean that:

    • businesses will be entitled to a refund where the indicative rate is higher than the actual rate for the financial year; but
    • for businesses where the indicative rate is lower than the actual rate for the financial year the business will be required to pay any shortfall as part of the annual reconciliation process.

    In light of the above, businesses are encouraged to review their estimates both at the start of the year and throughout the year to ensure that the appropriate rate is being applied.

    Are there any changes to the South Australian small business payroll tax rebate?

    In addition to receiving the benefit of the lower payroll tax rate from 1 July 2017, eligible small businesses will also receive a small business payroll tax rebate payment in the 2017-18 financial year (which is based on the 2016-17 wages paid), but rebates will no longer be paid in the 2018 19 and 2019 20 financial years.

    South Australian major bank levy

    Authorised-deposit-taking institutions that offer services in South Australia and are liable for the Commonwealth Government major bank levy will also be liable for a South Australian major bank levy from 1 July 2017.

    The State levy will apply at a rate of 0.015% of South Australia’s share of the total value of bank liabilities subject to the Commonwealth Government levy at the end of each quarter.

    South Australia’s share of relevant bank liabilities will be determined based on South Australia’s share of the national economy – this will be calculated by expressing the value of South Australia’s gross state product (GSP) as a percentage of the value of Australia’s gross domestic product (GDP) as published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the most recent year available.

    For the 2017-18 financial year, South Australia’s share of relevant bank liabilities will be set at 6.06% (based on the South Australia’s share of the national economy in 2015-16).

    Banks liable for the State levy will be required to provide a return and make levy payments to RevenueSA. Payment timeframes for the State levy are consistent with those that will apply to the Commonwealth levy and are summarised in the table below.

    Quarter ending

    State levy due and payable

     

    2017-18

    Subsequent years

    30 September

    21 March 2018

    21 December

    31 December

    21 March 2018

    21 March

    31 March

    21 June 2018

    21 June

    30 June

    21 September 2018

    21 September

    Stamp duty surcharge for foreign purchasers of South Australian residential property

    Foreign purchasers that acquire residential property in South Australia will be required to pay a surcharge of 7% of the dutiable value of the property. This surcharge amount is in addition to the duty that is otherwise payable.

    The surcharge will apply where a property, part of a property or a part interest in a property is acquired. It will also apply to acquisitions that are captured by the land holder duty provisions.

    If the property acquired by a foreign purchaser is exempt from duty, the acquisition will also be exempt from the surcharge.

    The surcharge will apply to dutiable instruments (including a statement under Section 71E of the Stamp Duties Act 1923) entered into on or after 1 January 2018.

    The Stamp Duties Act 1923 will be amended to provide for the surcharge.

    Change of status

    A refund of the surcharge will be available where a person who is a foreign purchaser for the purposes of the surcharge at the time of entering into a dutiable instrument, but then ceases to be a foreign person as defined, not more than 12 months after the interest in the residential property was acquired.

    The surcharge will be retrospectively imposed where a person, corporation or trust becomes a foreign purchaser within three years of the acquisition of the residential property.

    Foreign purchaser

    A number of changes announced in the 2017-18 State Budget have implications for foreign purchasers of South Australian property.

    Under the amendments proposed in the Budget Measures Bill 2017 a foreign purchaser will include natural persons, corporations and trusts.

    Foreign natural person

    A foreign natural person is any individual who is not an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or New Zealand citizen who holds a special category visa.

    Foreign Corporation

    A corporation will be foreign where it is incorporated outside Australia or where at least 50% of its shareholding is held by foreign persons, companies or trusts.

    Foreign Trust

    A trust will be foreign where the trustee, a person who has the power to appoint under the trust, an identified object under the trust or a person who takes capital of the trust property in default is foreign.

    Other minor tax and grant legislative amendments

    The Bill also contains a number of other minor amendments to taxation and grant legislation. These include:

    • amendments to the Payroll Tax Act 2009 to:
      • remedy deficiencies in the owner-driver exemption within the contractor provisions. This amendment operates from 1 July 2017; and
      • reflect changes to income tax legislation relating to motor vehicle allowances for the purpose of determining the exempt component of a motor vehicle allowance paid to an employee in respect of the 2016-17 financial year onwards. The new exempt rate is aligned with the rate at which employers can claim a deduction for work related motor vehicle expenses under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 of the Commonwealth. This amendment operates retrospectively from 1 July 2016, to coincide with the change at the federal level.
    • amendments to the First Home and Housing Construction Grants Act 2000 to:
      • enable grant recipients to object to any penalties imposed by the Commissioner of State Taxation where it is determined that the grant recipient did not meet the eligibility criteria and is required to repay the grant. This amendment operates from 22 June 2017; and
      • extend the Commissioner’s grant recovery powers to include instances where the relevant land parcel is not a home (for example where the land remains vacant land). This amendment operates from the date of assent of the Bill.
    • amendments to the Taxation Administration Act 1996 and Stamp Duties Act 1923 to facilitate the collection and disclosure of additional information relating to real property transfers. These amendments are necessary for the State to meet Commonwealth Government reporting requirements and operate from 1 July 2017.

    RevenueSA will update its website with additional supporting information on 2017-18 State Budget measures over coming months.

  • Handed Down 7 July 2016

    As part of the 2016-17 State Budget the Government announced the following taxation measures:

    • an extension of the stamp duty concession for purchases of off-the-plan apartments (see Information Circulars 8965 and 48);
    • an amendment to Section 67 of the Stamp Duties Act 1923;
    • an amendment to Section 71(5)(j) of the Stamp Duties Act 1923;
    • the removal of the prescribed goods provisions in the Stamp Duties Act 1923;
    • the expansion of the land tax exemption for land held by sporting and racing associations;
    • an amendment to Section 4(1)(j) of the Land Tax Act 1936 (see Information Circular 98);
    • the expansion of the land tax principal place of residence exemption (see Information Circular 94);
    • the extension of the small business payroll tax rebate for a further four years (see Revenue Ruling PTASA002[V3]);
    • an amendment to Section 93(1) of the Taxation Administration Act 1996;
    • the introduction of a tax for betting companies offering services in South Australia; and
    • the introduction of a Job Accelerator Scheme (see Information Circular 95)

    Further information is available in Information Circular 93.

  • Handed Down 18 June 2015

    As part of the 2015-16 State Budget the Government announced the following taxation measures:

    Measures taking effect from 18 June 2015

    • Abolition of stamp duty on non-quoted marketable securities (see Information Circular 76)
    • Abolition of stamp duty on non-real property transfers (see Information Circular 76)
    • Expansion of the availability of corporate reconstruction relief (see Information Circular 77)
    • Expansion of the stamp duty concession for exploration tenements to include retention tenements
    • Introduction of a stamp duty exemption for a principal place of residence transferred into a Special Disability Trust for no consideration (see Information Circular 79)
    • Removal of the exemption available in relation to the partition of property between members of a family group.

    Measures taking effect from 1 July 2015

    Measures taking effect from the date of assent

    • Expand the stamp duty exemption for interfamilial farm transfers, in particular in relation to transfers involving the use of certain types of trusts (see Revenue Ruling SDA007)
    • Legislate ex gratia relief for incapacitated persons
    • Legislate ex gratia relief for disability service providers
    • Legislate ex gratia relief for charitable and religious purposes
    • Extend the definition of family group to include domestic partners
    • Retrospective date of sale amendments (see Revenue Ruling SDA008[V3])
    • Payment of tax on appeal

    Measures taking effect from 1 July 2016

    • One third reduction of conveyance duty on the transfer of non-residential, non-primary production real property

    Measures taking effect from 1 July 2017

    • Further one third reduction of conveyance duty on the transfer of non-residential, non-primary production real property

    Measures taking effect from 1 July 2018

    • Abolition of conveyance duty on the transfer of non-residential, non-primary production real property
    • Anti-avoidance provisions
    • Abolition of stamp duty on transfers of units in unit trusts
    • Removal of the $1 million landholder threshold

    Further information is available in Information Circular 75.