Background The proposed changes to impose a minimum 30% tax on trusts from 1 July 2028 will substantially impact trusts, including discretionary trusts (DT), unit trusts, hybrid trusts and testamentary trusts. This article provides a brief overview of the proposed changes and outlines how DBA Lawyers plans to assist advisers and clients. What changes apply [read more]
The Victorian government has introduced a range of new or increased taxes in recent times. This article provides a brief summary on some of the recent changes to Victorian taxes relating to real estate. Commercial and Industrial Property tax From 1 July 2024 the Commercial and Industrial Property tax (CIPT) commenced. This new tax relies [read more]
The Albanese Government’s deal with the Greens to secure passage of the first tranche of its major tax changes has placed limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) back in the spotlight. We outline below the changes to the LRBA rules that apply from 10 August 2026 reflected in the Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) [read more]
The Albanese Government’s deal with the Greens to secure passage of the first tranche of its major tax changes has placed limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBAs) back in the spotlight. We outline below the press releases in which both parties reached agreement on changes to the LRBA rules, and discuss the amendment moved by Senator [read more]
A recent court decision held that a change of director in a company could give rise to duty on the value of any dutiable property held by trustee of a unit trust. After the unfavourable Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) decision in Tao v Commissioner of State Revenue (Review and Regulation) [2024] VCAT 637, [read more]
The Payday Super (PDS) regime requires employers to pay superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as they pay salary and wages from 1 July 2026. Further, these SG contributions must be received by the relevant superannuation fund within 7-business days. This article focuses on the key risks and considerations for employers who make [read more]
The ATO’s Practical Compliance Guideline, PCG 2026/1 – Payday Super: first year ATO compliance approach (the PCG) provides no real comfort for employers who do not comply with the strict provisions and time frames of the law. A legislative transitioning rule is needed that provides legal protection to employer’s. The ATO acknowledges in the PCG [read more]
From 1 July 2026, the Payday Super regime will be in effect and will require employers to pay superannuation guarantee (SG) contributions at the same time as they pay salary/wages (Payday Super). Payday Super replaces the current requirement to pay SG quarterly where employers have had 28 days from the end of each quarter to [read more]
From 1 January 2026, significant changes to the vacant residential land tax (VRLT) will take effect. This article will cover both the legislative changes as well as updated revenue rulings and Treasury guidelines on the VRLT. VRLT on unimproved land Broadly, for VRLT to be imposed, land must satisfy the definition of ‘residential’ and ‘vacant’ as [read more]
Under the Duties Act 2000 (Vic) (Duties Act), when someone (including a company) obtains real property in Victoria, land transfer duty is ordinarily payable based on the dutiable value of the land. It is a common law right in Victoria for a purchaser described on a contract of sale to later nominate another entity to [read more]
