Shadow finance minister Jess Wilson calls for clarity over Victorian land tax changes

There’s some devil in the detail of land tax changes. But what do the State Revenue Office alterations mean for farmers?

Land tax exemptions for primary production may become harder to obtain under a new State Revenue Office ruling, the opposition has warned.

The updated criteria released by the SRO places greater emphasis on providing specific evidence of preparation activities and intent to use the land for primary production.

Opposition finance spokeswoman Jess Wilson also noted the conditions for extending the 12-month preparation period have been made more stringent, requiring more detailed documentation.

“Any tightening of exemption rules and increases in compliance requirements means more stress and a greater burden for farming families across Victoria,” the Liberal frontbencher said.

“The Allan Labor Government must provide immediate clarity for regional Victorians and explain exactly what this new determination means for them.”

Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny was contacted by The Weekly Times for comment.

A number of land taxation reforms by Spring Street have been undertaken since the change of premier from Daniel Andrews to Jacinta Allan last year.

In April, it was confirmed that farmers hosting wind farms would be excluded from the Victorian Government’s new Commercial and Industrial Property Tax reform, which from this financial year replaces lump-sum stamp duty with an annual tax set at one per cent of the site’s unimproved land value.