Land Tax Exemption for Primary Production: Win for the Taxpayer
The land tax exemption for primary production land has been clarified where land is used for multiple purposes. The dominant use test has been interpreted as an objective assessment where profitability is not determinative.
Harwood Andrews Dispute Resolution & Litigation team Ranked in Doyles Guide, Victoria 2024
Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in the 2024 Doyles Guide. Doyles Guide is a highly regarded independent annual peer review of the leading corporate law firms and lawyers in Victoria.
Changes to Holiday Home exemption for Vacant Residential Land Tax
On 4 June 2024, the State Taxation Amendment Act 2024 (Act) received Royal Assent. The Act, amongst other significant taxation changes, amends the holiday home exemption by introducing new provisions to section 88A of the Land Tax Act 2005 (LTA).
Merristock v Commissioner of State Revenue: Primary Production Land Tax Exemption and Discretionary Trusts
Taxpayer successfully appeals against Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) decision that land owned by them was not eligible for the primary production land tax exemption.
ATO Seeks to Mitigate NALI Setback in BPFN Ruling
The ATO responds to the BPFN ruling, which challenged its stringent stance on non-arm's length income (NALI) in SMSFs. While maintaining the importance of benchmarking, the ruling highlights the validity of commercial assessments in private lending schemes.
New Land Tax Exemption for Social and Emergency Housing
The Victorian State Budget for 2024/2025 has revealed a new tax measure for land utilised in social and emergency housing. This new land tax exemption aims to clarify existing arrangements, ensuring landowners involved in such housing initiatives are not burdened by excessive land tax obligations.
Children’s expenses: to bind or not to bind?
School fees, swimming lessons, uniforms, football and dance classes, the list of the ever increasing expenses of raising children goes on. When parents separate, expenses that were once agreed and were paid from joint funds can become a point of contention.
Victorian Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024 – A Win for the Tourism Industry
The Victorian Government launches the Regional Tourism Investment Fund 2024, aiding tourism projects in rural and regional Victoria. Grants up to $5M available. Eligibility open to various entities. Apply by July 19, 2024.
A spotlight on the current affordable housing crisis – An Overview from the Federal Budget 2024/25
The 2024/25 Federal Budget has announced $6.2 billion of new initiatives in the budget to respond to Australia’s housing shortage.
Reversal of Land Transfer to Self-Managed Super Fund Due to Unconscionable Conduct
The New South Wales Supreme Court reverses land transfer to SMSF due to son's unconscionable conduct in Cihan Family Trust v Cihan Family Superannuation Fund [2023] NSWSC 1289
Proposed regulation changes: Caravan and residential park operators, are you up to date?
The Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2020 (current Regulations), which regulates caravan and residential park operators is set to expire on 30 June 2024.
Harwood Andrews Recognised In Best Lawyers® Award 2025 Edition
Harwood Andrews is pleased to announce that 9 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.
How to Serve your former spouse with a divorce application
There are particular requirements for service of divorce applications and a number of documents which must be filed with the court to prove that an applicant’s former spouse has received the divorce application in the correct manner.
Here we answer some common questions in relation to service of an application for divorce.
Parenting matters and the new changes to the Family Law Act
Recently there have been changes to the Family Law Act 1975 (the Act), via the Family Law Amendment Act 2023 (FLAA) about parenting matters. Most of the changes as a result of the FLAA will take effect from 6 May 2024.
Significant reforms announced by Treasurer to merger laws
The Federal Treasurer has announced sweeping reforms to the merger laws following persistent pressure from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for reform.
Harwood Andrews Planning & Environment Ranked In Doyles Guide, Victoria 2024
Harwood Andrews is delighted to have been identified by clients and peers for expertise and abilities in two areas for Victoria in the 2024 Doyles Guide.
Getting a divorce - commonly asked questions
In Australia marriage is defined as “the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”. When that union has broken down with no reasonable prospect of a reconciliation the law allows for a mechanism to dissolve the union. This is known as a divorce. A divorce changes your legal status.
Harwood Andrews State-of-the-Art Workplace Designed for Collaboration and Client Success
Harwood Andrews today announced the commencement of a significant office renovation project at their Geelong CBD premises at 70 Gheringhap Street Geelong. The design of this space has been done to foster collaboration, innovation, and exceptional client service.
Improperly Drafted Exclusionary Clause Triggers Foreign Land Tax Surcharge For Discretionary Trust
This ruling from the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal (the Tribunal) serves as an important reminder for ensuring that discretionary trust deeds are appropriately amended to prevent the activation of "foreign" land transfer (stamp) duty and land tax surcharges