25/06/2020

Archived news items from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015


2015-16 State Budget

Issued 18 Jun 2015

The following taxation measures were announced by the Government as part of the 2015-16 State Budget handed down today, 18 June 2015:

From 18 June 2015

  • Abolition of stamp duty on non-real property transfers.
  • Abolition of stamp duty on non-quoted marketable securities.
  • Expansion of the availability of corporate reconstruction relief.
  • 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.
  • Removal of the exemption available in relation to the partition of property between members of a family group.

From 1 July 2015

  • Abolition of the Hindmarsh Island Bridge Levy.
  • Extension of the small business payroll tax rebate to 2015-16.
  • Introduction of a land tax principal place of residence exemption for property transferred into a Special Disability Trust.
  • Other land tax amendments.

Measures to take 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.
  • 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.
  • Payment of tax on appeal.

From 1 July 2016

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

From 1 July 2017

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

From 1 July 2018

  • Abolition of conveyance duty on non-residential, non-primary production real property transfers.
  • Abolition of stamp duty on transfer of units in a unit trust.
  • removal of the $1 million landholder threshold.

Information Circular 75 provides an overview of the Budget measures. Additional information is provided in the following revenue publications:

  • Information Circular 76: State Budget 2015-16 Stamp Duty Measures.
  • Information Circular 77: Part 4AA Corporate Group Exemptions.
  • Information Circular 78: 2015-16 State Budget Land Tax Amendments.
  • Information Circular 79: Special Disability Trusts.
  • Revenue Ruling SDA008[V3]: 2015-16 State Budget Amendment to Section 60A(1) and Other Sections.
  • Revenue Ruling PTASA002[V2]: Small Business Payroll Tax Rebate.

Revenue Ruling Released

Issued 04 Jun 2015

Revenue Ruling SDA011 outlines the life tenant factors to be used in situations where a life estate or a remainder estate is to be determined for stamp duty purposes.

For further information please click here.


Stamp Duty / Land Tax Webinars

Issued 04 Jun 2015

RevenueSA is developing a number of free taxpayer information webinars and educational videos for legal, accounting and conveyancing professionals.

In order to tailor the webinars and/or educational videos to topics that the industry would like to know more about, we invite you to complete the survey below and select the topic/s that are of most interest to you.

Stamp Duty / Land Tax Webinars Survey

Webinars will replace the annual taxpayer information session and allow you to participate in sessions of interest at a time that suits you and your business. The dates for these webinars will be advertised in the new financial year.


Payroll Tax Annual Reconciliation Information Sessions

Issued 04 Jun 2015

Free taxpayer information webinars will be conducted in July 2015 for employers with payroll tax obligations. In this webinar we will provide you with some pointers to assist you in completing the annual reconciliation process in RevNet. We will also provide you with an opportunity to ask questions via the chat facility during the webinar.

A number of dates are available for the webinar, so you can choose a time that suits you and your business all from the comfort of your office.

If a webinar doesn't suit we will be offering a small face-to-face session. Numbers to this session will be strictly limited.

To register please visit the Taxpayer Education page.


RevenueSA IT System Upgrade

Issued 25 May 2015

RevenueSA is in the process of replacing its core IT systems with a single system. The new system, RISTEC (RevenueSA Information System to Enable Compliance), is being implemented over 2 releases. Release 1 (the Payroll Tax component) successfully went live on 12 June 2012.

Over the coming weeks, RevenueSA will be embarking on a process to implement Release 2 (the Land Tax and Emergency Services Levy components).

Implementation activities will commence in June to meet the proposed go-live date of Monday, 6 July 2015.

While every effort will be made to minimise the impact to users of RevenueSA's online services, there will be periods of unavailability during June 2015.

Accordingly, advance notice is given of the following disruption to RevenueSA online services:

Registered for Payroll Tax:

RevNet will be unavailable for payroll tax users between 5.00pm Friday, 5 June 2015 and 8.00am Monday, 6 July 2015.

What does this mean to taxpayers?

Taxpayers will not be able to:

  • access RevNet to view returns;
  • make payments by EPA (Electronic Payment Authority) or generate EFT payment references;
  • update any client's details;
  • submit late lodgements of the 2013-14 Annual Reconciliation or reassessments of previously submitted annual reconciliations.

What does this mean for RevNet payroll tax users for the May 2015 Payroll Tax Return?

Taxpayers who ordinarily use RevNet to remit their monthly payroll tax via direct debit (EPA),and still wish to utilise this process for their May 2015 payment will need to ensure that the payment is made by 4 June 2015.

Taxpayers are able to use the future dating functionality in RevNet so that the payment will not be debited before 7 June 2015.

Payments for the May 2015 return during the RevNet outage period by other payment methods via financial service providers (BPay, EFT or Cheque) will be processed as normal.

If this is not possible, RevenueSA will accept payment for the May 2015 return with the2014-15 payroll tax annual reconciliation due on 21 July 2015.

What does this mean to taxpayers for the payroll tax annual reconciliation?

The 2014-15 annual reconciliation (due on 21 July 2015) is still required to be lodged via RevNet. The 2014-15 annual reconciliation will open on Monday,6 July 2015.

If a previous year's annual reconciliation needs to be lodged or reassessed then taxpayers will need to advise the details to RevenueSA outside of RevNet.

Please contact Payroll Tax Enquiries on: payrolltax@sa.gov.au or (08) 8204 9880 if you have any queries or if you need to lodge or reassess a previous year's annual reconciliation.

Registered for Certificates:

RevNet will not be available for Certificate users between:

  • 5.00pm Friday, 5 June 2015 and 8.00am Tuesday, 9 June 2015 (long weekend); and
  • 5.00pm Friday, 26 June 2015 and 8.00am Monday, 6 July 2015 (annual property tax housekeeping process with lockout of all users).

Should you have any further questions or require additional information please contact:

ESL:  revsaesl@sa.gov.au or telephone (08) 8207 2111

Land Tax:  landtax@sa.gov.auor (08) 8204 9870

Registered for Stamp Duty:

RevNet will not be available for stamp duty users between:

  • 5.00pm Friday, 5 June 2015 and 8.00am Tuesday, 9 June 2015 (long weekend): and
  • 5.00pm Friday, 26 June 2015 and 8.00am Monday, 29 June 2015 (annual property tax housekeeping process with lockout of all users).

Should you have any further questions or require additional information please contact Stamp Duty RevNet at revnet@sa.gov.auor telephone (08) 8207 2333

Regular broadcasts will be published in the Latest News section on the RevenueSA Homepage www.revenuesa.sa.gov.au, via RevNet and via email as required on progress of the implementation.

We thank you in advance for your patience during this implementation period.


Seniors Housing Grant Ex Gratia

Issued 01 Apr 2015

The Seniors Housing Grant (SHG) commenced on 1 July 2014 and provides a grant of up to $8,500. The SHG assists persons, over 60 years of age, to purchase or construct a new principal place of residence that is more suitable to their current needs and to reduce the impact of stamp duty.

An ex gratia relief equivalent to the SHG has been approved by the Treasurer for new home contracts entered into, or in the case of an owner builder construction commenced, between 22 February 2014 (being the date the Government announced it would introduce the SHG if re-elected) and 30 June 2014.

Revenue Ruling FHOG006 outlines the ex gratia relief.


Stamp Duty Off-the-Plan Apartment Concession

Issued 18 Mar 2015

The Stamp Duties (Off-the-Plan Apartments) Amendment Bill 2014 was passed by the Legislative Council yesterday (17 March 2015).

The legislation gives effect to an extension of the boundaries for the stamp duty concession on the purchase of an off-the-plan apartment.

For more information on the stamp duty concession please visit the off-the-plan concession page, Information Circular 48 and Information Circular 65.


Payroll Tax Webinars

Issued 27 Jan 2015

Are you newly registered for payroll tax or do you want to refresh your payroll tax knowledge? Why not register for one of the Harmonised Payroll Tax Webinars which are held on Tuesdays. There are four webinars in the series:

  • Webinar 1 - Understanding the Basics - what it is, how it works
  • Webinar 2 - Allowances, FBT, Exemptions and Rebates
  • Webinar 3 - Contractors
  • Webinar 4 - Groupings

Click here for further information and to register.


FHOG Revenue Ruling

Issued 19 Jan 2015 

Ex gratia relief equivalent to the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) has been approved by the Treasurer for eligible Australian Defence Force personnel applying for the FHOG but unable to satisfy the residence requirements due to posting or deployment across Australia and overseas.

Revenue Ruling FHOG005 outlines the ex gratia relief.


Revenue Rulings Released

Issued 16 Jan 2015

In a majority of situations involving the sale of land the transferee named in the Memorandum of Transfer is the same person named as the purchaser in a contract for the sale of that land. In such cases, duty is imposed on the Transfer.

However, where the purchaser and transferee are not the same, it has previously been RevenueSA's practice to require the production of certain further documentation to explain the difference.

RevenueSA has reviewed their long standing practice and, in light of advice received and recent case law, has determined to amend its assessing practices. These are explained in Revenue Ruling SDA009.

Under the Stamp Duties Act 1923, duty is chargeable on the conveyance or transfer of property situated in South Australia. Revenue Ruling SDA010 discusses how duty is assessed with regards to the sale and purchase of a business.


ESL General Remission

Issued 23 Dec 2014

In the 2014-15 State Budget the Government removed the fixed property Emergency Services Levy (ESL) remission (better known as the "General Remission") on all properties except principal places of residence owned by eligible pensioners and concession card holders.

The General Remission has been reinstated for all properties coded as Retired and Aged Accommodation or Independent Living Units, and all properties within the ownerships of the recognised and regulated residential parks.

Notice of Assessment, taking into consideration the General Remission, will be issued shortly to affected ownership. The existing monthly instalment payment arrangements will be available to those owners who choose to request it.

Further information is available in Revenue Ruling ESL001 .


Opening Hours

Issued 17 Dec 2014

Over the Christmas/New Year period, RevenueSA will only be closed on the three public holidays:

  • Thursday, 25 December 2014
  • Friday, 26 December 2014
  • Thursday, 1 January 2015

Our online services will continue to operate 24/7.


Due date for December 2014 Payroll Tax Returns

Issued 15 Dec 2014

Please note the due date for the December 2014 payroll tax return has been extended from 7 January 2015 to 14 January 2015.


Taxpayer Survey

Issued 10 Dec 2014 

Taxpayer Survey closes Friday, 12 December 2014.


Pay ESL and Land Tax Online

Issued 04 Dec 2014

Payments for Emergency Services Levy and Land Tax can now be made securely online. Payments greater than $5 and less than $2,000 can be made using your VISA or Mastercard. Please visit our Payments page for links.


2014 Taxpayer Survey

Issued 07 Nov 2014

The 2014 Taxpayer Survey has been released.

We would appreciate it if you would spend five to ten minutes to complete the survey. The survey can be accessed by clicking here. The survey will be open until close of business on Friday, 12 December 2014.

Your feedback is important to us and we encourage you to be honest and constructive in your responses. Results from the survey will be published on our Internet site.

Please do not feel that you need to wait until our annual Taxpayer Survey to provide comments. We want to hear from you if, for any reason, you are dissatisfied with any services we provide you. We also want to hear your ideas on how we can improve our services. Naturally we would also like you to let us know when our service exceeds your expectations, as we need the range of feedback to continually improve our services and develop new standards. Feedback can be provided at any time via our complaints and feedback page.


Payroll Tax Educational Videos

Issued 23 Oct 2014

New payroll tax educational videos on the following topics have been released:

  • Understanding the Annual Deduction Entitlement
  • Understanding the Annual Deduction Entitlement (QLD & NT)
  • Understanding the Monthly Deduction Entitlement
  • Lodging your Annual Return

Seniors Housing Grant

Issued 02 Oct 2014

The Budget Measures Bill 2014 (the "Bill") was assented to by His Excellency the Governor today.

The Bill gives effect to the Seniors Housing Grant (SHG) announced by the Government in the State Budget on 19 June 2014.

The SHG is a once off grant of up to $8,500 available to natural persons, aged 60 years or more, who enter into a contract between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2016 to purchase and build a new home.

See the Seniors Housing Grant webpage for further details.


Transport Development Levy

Issued 02 Oct 2014

The legislative provisions to introduce the Transport Development Levy (TDL) were contained in the Budget Measures Bill 2014 (the "Bill"). The Bill was amended by Parliament to remove the provisions that relate to the TDL.

This means the TDL will no longer be proceeding.


ESL General Remissions - Retirement Villages

Issued 02 Sep 2014

In the 2014-15 State Budget, the Government removed the fixed property Emergency Services Levy (ESL) remission (better known as the "general remission") on all properties except principal place of residences owned by eligible pensioner and concession card holders.

Pensioners who live in retirement villages, lifestyle resorts, caravan parks, mobile parks and over 55 villages (together referred to as "Retirement Villages") do not own the property they reside in but have some other arrangement with the Retirement Village owner that gives them a right to occupy the property as their place of residence.

As the liability for ESL rests with the Retirement Village owner and not the pensioner residing on the land, the general remission is now not available on land located within a Retirement Village.

Upon consideration of industry submissions, the Government agrees in principle that pensioners and concession card holders who live in Retirement Villages should not be disadvantaged when compared with pensioners and concession card holders who own their own home in relation to the ESL.

Accordingly, the Government will work with industry to develop an appropriate scheme to ensure that pensioners and concession card holders are not adversely affected by the ESL changes announced in the 2014-15 State Budget.


Payroll Tax Return Due Date

Issued 01 Sep 2014

As the 7th falls on a Sunday this month, the August monthly payroll tax return can be lodged up until 5pm, Monday, 8 September 2014.


Payroll Tax Annual Reconciliations Due

Issued 21 Jul 2014

Don't forget, payroll tax annual reconciliations are due today.


Revenue Publications Released

Issued 11 Jul 2014

The 2014-15 Payroll Tax Guide to Legislation has been released, along with Information Circular 73 which advises the payroll tax rate and threshold for 2014-15 and the motor vehicle and accommodation allowance exempt rates.


Payroll Tax Educational Videos

Issued 07 Jul 2014

New payroll tax educational videos on registration, registration-employing in multiple jurisdictions and grouping have been released.


RevNet Certificates are now available

Issued 04 Jul 2014

RevNet Certificate System is now available.

We apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused.


RevNet Cerificates Update

Issued 03 Jul 2014

Our apologies, the RevNet Certificate System is still unavailable.

For an alternative solution, please see our previous latest news article.


RevNet Certificates

Issued 03 Jul 2014

We are still working on rectifying issues with land tax and emergency services levy (ESL) certificates through RevNet.

In the meantime, an estimate of 2014-15 land tax and ESL liability can be determined using the land tax calculator and ESL calculator available on RevenueSA's website. Please note the information provided by the calculators is intended as a guide only, it is recommended that you obtain a certificate once they are available to confirm the tax/levy applicable.

If information is required for a settlement occurring today (Thursday. 3 July 2014) or tomorrow (Friday, 4 July 2014) please contact our land tax or ESL call centre on 1300 366 150.

We will provide updates throughout the day.

We apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.


RevNet Certificates Currently Unavailable

Issued 02 Jul 2014

The system to request and update certificates is currently unavailable. At this stage we have not been advised when the system will be open again, but will provide you with an update tomorrow (Thursday, 3 July 2014) morning.

If information is required for a settlement occurring on Thursday, 3 July 2014 or Friday, 4 July 2014 please contact our land tax or emergency service levy call centre on 1300 366 150.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.


Publications Released

Issued 01 Jul 2014

The 2014-15 Land Tax Guide to Legislation has been released. In addition, three Information Circulars have been released.

Information Circular 70 advises the interest rates applied to tax defaults or refunds for 2014-15.

Information Circular 71 and 72 provide a summary of changes for land tax and the emergency services levy.