NEW land tax thresholds introduced by the State Government at the start of this year have seen many landholders receive a land tax bill for the first time while leaving several others saddled with significantly higher bills.
State MPs Kim O’Keeffe for Shepparton District and Annabelle Cleeland for Euroa are calling for relief and are urging the public to know their land tax liability.
Ms Cleeland highlighted that in her electorate, 1,763 landowners in the Mitchell Shire had higher land tax liabilities in 2024 than they did in 2023, in addition to 437 landowners in the Strathbogie Shire and 429 in Benalla.
Ms O’Keeffe has called on the State Treasurer Tim Pallas to provide clarification as to why the land threshold was reduced from $300,000 to $50,000. She said the decision was impacting the availability of rental properties, with many landlords deciding it is now unfeasible to own a rental property in Victoria.
“These are everyday regional Victorians, many who are self-funded retirees, doing their best to put themselves in a positive financial position for their future. They are now faced with financial uncertainty,” said O’Keeffe.
Ms Cleeland said her office had already spoken with several landowners who had received inaccurate land tax bills. She said, “This includes bills being sent to renters, bills sent to children, and bills for people’s primary places of residence.”
Ms Cleeland said new charges, which the State Government says is a key element in its COVID Debt Repayment Plan, are unfair enough without bills being sent to people and organisations who should be exempt.
“Thankfully, we have been able to resolve many of these situations, but it is certainly concerning how many people received incorrect bills in this rushed roll-out of land tax changes,” said Cleeland.
Information on land tax including how to apply for an exemption can be found online at www.sro.vic.gov.au/land-tax/land-tax-exemptions or by contacting the State Revenue Office (SRO) on 13 21 61 during standard business hours.
