Victorian Commercial and Industrial Property Tax detail announced

The Victorian Government has announced further details of the Commercial and Industrial Property Tax (CIPT) that is proposed to be introduced from 1 July 2024. The CIPT was announced in May as part of the 2023/24 budget and since then the government has undertaken targeted consultation with business and industry leaders to help shape the design of the reform.

This is a significant change to the taxation of commercial and industrial property that will have implications for persons acquiring such properties after 1 July 2024 and could also impact certain tenants if the tax is passed on. While CIPT will not be passed on to specific retail tenants identified in the Retail Leases Act 2003 (Vic), it is possible other tenants outside the scope of this Act could be affected.

Taxpayers should seek advice about the potential impact of this tax on existing and future arrangements, including taking CIPT into account when modelling planned commercial and industrial projects.

Key features of the proposed reform

• CIPT will apply to commercial and industrial transactions with both a contract and settlement date on or after 1 July 2024.
• At settlement, a purchaser will have a choice to either:
  • pay stamp duty one final time; or
  • for taxpayers who meet certain criteria (including that the property is valued at $30 million or less), finance the stamp duty through a government-facilitated transition loan.
• The annual CIPT will become payable 10 years after the final stamp duty payment, regardless of whether that property has transacted again.
• If the property is transacted again, stamp duty will not be payable if the property continues to be used for commercial and industrial purposes.
• CIPT will be charged at one per cent of the unimproved land value (there is no tax-free threshold).
• This is a separate tax from, and in addition to, land tax.

What properties are excluded from the CIPT regime?

Excluded:

• commercial or industrial property purchased prior to 1 July 2024 (unless 50 per cent or more of the property is transacted after 1 July 2024);
• properties primarily used for residential, primary production, community services or sport, heritage and culture purposes; and
• transfers of commercial or industrial properties that are exempt from stamp duty (e.g., purchase by a charity).

What properties have a qualifying commercial or industrial use?

Property allocated an Australian Valuation Property Classification Code (AVPCC) that represents commercial, industrial, extractive industries or infrastructure and utilities land (AVPCC categories 200s, 300s, 400s and 600s) will have a qualifying use. In addition, consistent with the definition of commercial residential premises in the A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (Cth), certain student accommodation will also be deemed to have a qualifying use. University colleges will be excluded.

Will concessions apply to CIPT?

Yes. For example, the existing regional commercial and industrial 50 per cent stamp duty concession will apply to the stamp duty imposed on eligible properties. The proposal does not explain whether or not regional properties that are entitled to this concession will also receive 50 per cent relief from CIPT.

What if there is a part sale of a property after 1 July 2024?

If 50 per cent or more of the property is sold, it will be considered to have transacted and will fall within the CIPT regime. The entire property will then be subject to CIPT.

If a property has a mixed use does it become liable for CIPT?

If a property has more than one use, the Commissioner will apply the “sole or primary use” test to determine whether the property will enter the regime if it is transacted. Factors such as land or floor area of each use, the relative intensity, economic and financial significance of each use and the length of time of each use will be taken into consideration. If the primary use is non-qualifying, CIPT will not apply to the property.

What happens if the use of the land changes to a non-qualifying use?

CIPT will not be payable on a property with a non-qualifying use. If a property has a qualifying use and enters the CIPT regime, CIPT will be payable and no further stamp duty will be payable on subsequent sales. However, if that property changes to a non-qualifying use (e.g., residential) and is subsequently sold, change-of-use duty will be payable.

If a property in the reform returns to a qualifying use, CIPT becomes payable immediately after the original 10-year transition period has concluded and no refund of change of use duty will be given.

What transactions do not trigger entry into the CIPT regime?

Transactions eligible for the corporate consolidation concession, dutiable leases, economic entitlement and sub-sale transactions will not trigger entry into the CIPT regime. Properties will only enter the regime when they are directly transferred via a standard dutiable transaction or a fractional interest of 50 per cent or more is transacted.

Will the absentee owner surcharge apply to CIPT?

No. There is no absentee owner surcharge imposed on the CIPT.

How will purchasers know if a property has entered the CIPT regime?

Details of whether a property is subject to the CIPT and any outstanding amount will be outlined in the Property Clearance Certificate issued by the State Revenue Office.