Domestic violence victims slugged thousands of dollars in land tax bills

Domestic violence victims who escape their abusers are being hit with land tax bills worth thousands of dollars if they register a new address, and the Allan government is being slammed over the legislation flaw.

Domestic violence victims who flee their abusive partners are being slugged thousands of dollars in land tax bills.

The Herald Sun can reveal homeowner victims who escape their abusers by leaving home are being issued with land tax notices if they register a new address.

The Allan government has conceded a major flaw in legislation that forces victims to self-identify and seek for land tax notices to be waived.

It has prompted the government to investigate formalising tax exemptions for victims.

The government is also looking at ways to improve the collaboration between the State Revenue Office and domestic violence services.

It comes just a week after the Premier unveiled the government’s long-awaited family violence package.

In one case now being handled by a suburban law firm, a woman moved out of home to flee an abusive partner and changed her address with ­VicRoads.

A week ago, the Premier unveiled the government’s long-awaited family violence package to tackle the scourge. Picture: Getty Images

After selling her former home, land tax was levied after it was determined she had being living away from her principal place of residence.

Queries with the SRO confirmed the tax owing because the woman had changed address, triggering a land tax bill for her portion of the property.

The victim’s ex-partner still lived in the property, so they did not have to pay land tax.

The lawyer representing the woman, who requested to ­remain anonymous for safety reasons, said the tax hit would affect countless domestic violence victims.

“Now land tax is triggered at $50,000, no one will avoid this if they leave a partner,” they said.

“It was $300,000 last year.”

Women’s Community Shelters chief Annabelle Daniel says responding to domestic and family violence requires a whole of government approach. Picture: Richard Dobson

Women’s Community Shelters chief Annabelle Daniel said responding to domestic and family violence required a whole-of-government ­approach.

“This example shows exactly how victim-survivors are penalised at multiple levels when systems are not set up to be domestic violence- ­informed,” she said.

“It’s heartening to hear the acknowledgment by government that this will be ­addressed.

“I would urge governments of all levels to look at the way that government systems may either be weaponised by perpetrators or abuse, or inadvertently penalise victims as they are attempting to re-establish themselves.”

A government spokeswoman said ex-gratia waivers on land tax were regularly provided to Victorians who explained their circumstances.

But she acknowledged ­victims didn’t need to be retraumatised by retelling their stories to authorities.

“The last thing victim ­survivors of family violence needs is an additional tax burden for finding a safe place to live,” she said.

“The Treasurer regularly provides ex-gratia land tax waivers to victim survivors when they contact the SRO.

“Alongside the support our Women’s Safety Package delivers for victim survivors, we’re looking at what more we can do to reduce the onus and administrative burden on women who are leaving unsafe relationships and homes.”