Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-10-26 Daily Xml

Contents

Land Tax

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY (14:41): My question is to the Treasurer concerning—

The PRESIDENT: Order! Sorry, the Hon. Mr Darley. The Hon. Mr Wortley, I asked you to take that sign down and you must take it down.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: I asked you to take it down and you did take it down and then you have put it back up again. Please remove it from your desk.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: From the desk?

The PRESIDENT: Please remove it from your desk.

The Hon. R.P. Wortley: You are a bit touchy there.

The PRESIDENT: Thank you. Now, the Hon. Mr Darley.

The Hon. J.A. DARLEY: Thank you, Mr President. My question is to the Treasurer concerning land tax. I understand that some owners are receiving land tax accounts for last financial year together with this year's account. Can the Treasurer advise whether extra time is being allowed for owners to pay these two accounts?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:42): I thank the honourable member for his question. The answer to the question is yes. My understanding of the arrangements that RevenueSA have entered into and will enter into in relation to those persons who might receive a 2021 account at the same time as 2021-22 is that the form that they will receive will provide three clear options in terms of repayment.

One will be an up-front payment in the first quarter and then three equal payments over the next three quarters or, alternatively, the total amount payable being over the four quarters with four equal payments and then, thirdly, an option which says if either of the payment options presents financial difficulties for you please contact RevenueSA and they will look at alternative payment options, some of which might include monthly payment or instalment payments over a period of time.

The options will be provided to members. They will also be reminded of the land tax transition support fund that RevenueSA, the government or the taxpayers are providing in terms of those persons who might be eligible for assistance where there is indeed any increase in the level of land tax as a result of the comprehensive reform arrangements that went through the parliament a year or two ago. All of those options are available to those numbers of taxpayers that might be impacted by the receipt of two land tax bills at the same time or, indeed, in quick succession.