Vic Government taxes are squeezing out SME’s: Why does it feel like we’re just moving deck chairs on a sinking ship?
South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA)
A peak industry group representing more than 200 members located in South East Melbourne
The Allan Labour Government’s latest round of taxes are, according to the Treasurer Tim Pallas, designed to “(The Commercial and Industrial Property Tax) will be set at a single flat rate of one per cent of a property’s unimproved land value – there are no complicated graduated rates – and exemptions that apply to land tax will also apply. Administration will also be similar to arrangements for land tax, to streamline compliance”. This means the Valuer General Victoria will manage the process. The same process for Land Tax, the VGV also calculates the value of land, which leads to increased land tax fees. This means they (VGV) will have carte blanche to increase the (assumed) value of the unimproved land (year on year). Don’t be fooled by the “set a single flat rate of one per cent of a property’s improved value” line that will be used to calculate the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax, they will charge based on the unimproved value which will be indexed and will increase year-on-year against whatever leavers they can use: inflation, CPI and the general excuse “ land values have increased across the board in Victoria”. Even though the government is offering a loan of that value – a loan that will be payable in ten years, or can be paid in instalments. It’s murky and the goal posts are moving, the deck chairs are being shuffled, it’s all smoke and mirrors from the Treasurer.
SEMMA members have a differing view. The increase in Land Taxes, WorkCover Premiums and Payroll Tax will do the following:
· Squeeze out smaller manufacturers who can’t afford a huge increase in land tax
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· Reduce capital investment by businesses – reducing growth and employment
· Increase production costs – and therefore costs will rise on consumer goods
It seems the Victorian Government is hell bent on making sure small business goes out of business, despite employing 90% of Victorians.
Property Law Principal - MST Lawyers
9 个月While the new regime will remove the upfront stamp duty burden on the purchase of qualifying properties, the CIPT will ultimately be an ongoing, recurrent cost in addition to existing land taxes and surcharges. Whether taxpayers will actually benefit from tax savings, following the 10-year transitional period, depends on the capital improved value (CIV) of the property, its unimproved (site) value, and how long the property is held. We will have to wait and see whether the taxpayer ultimately benefits from the CIPT, only time will tell!