Land Tax Assessment Act 1912

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LAND TAX ASSESSMENT.

No. 37 of 1912.

An Act to amend the Land Tax Assessment Act 1910–1911.

[Assented to 24th December, 1912.]

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title and citation.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the Land Tax Assessment Act 1912.

(2.) The Land Tax Assessment Act 1910–1911 is in this Act referred to as the Principal Act.

(3.) The Principal Act, as amended by this Act, may be cited as the Land Tax Assessment Act 1910–1912.

Amendment of s. 25.

2. Section three of the Principal Act is amended by adding at the end of the definition of “Value of improvements” the words “Provided that the added value shall in no case exceed the amount that should reasonably be involved in bringing the unimproved value of the land to its improved value as at the date of assessment.”

Amendment of s.25.

3. Section twenty-five of the Principal Act is amended by inserting after the words “less than the fee simple” the words “(other than an estate of freehold arising by virtue of a lease for life under a lease or an agreement for a lease)”.

4. Section twenty-seven of the Principal Act is repealed and the following section inserted in its stead:—

Lessees of land after commencement of Act.

“27.—(1.) The owner of a leasehold estate in land, under a lease made or agreed to be made after the commencement of this Act, not being a lease made in pursuance of an agreement made before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed (though not to the exclusion of the liability of any other person) to be the owner of land of an unimproved value equal to the unimproved value of his estate:

Provided that where the owner of a leasehold estate has, within five years previously, been the owner of a freehold estate in the land he shall be assessed and liable to land tax as if he were the owner of the fee simple.

(2.) He shall be entitled to deduct from the tax payable by him in respect of the unimproved value of his estate an amount equal to the sum of—

(a) the amount which bears the same proportion to the tax payable in respect of the land by the owner of any freehold estate as the unimproved value of the leasehold estate bears to the unimproved value of the land, and

(b) the amount which bears the same proportion to the tax payable in respect of the unimproved value of any precedent leasehold estate as the unimproved value of the leasehold estate bears to the unimproved value of the precedent leasehold estate.

(3.) Notwithstanding anything in this section, where the owner of the fee simple is exempt under sections thirteen or forty-one of this Act from taxation in respect of the land, a lessee of the land shall be assessed and liable for land tax as if the lease were made before the commencement of this Act and not otherwise.

(4.) For the purposes of this section—

(a) the unimproved value of a leasehold estate means the present value of the annual value of the land calculated for the unexpired period of the lease at four and a half per centum, according to calculations based on the prescribed tables for the calculation of values;

(b) the annual value of land means four and a half per centum of the unimproved value of the land:

Provided that the Commissioner may from time to time, if he thinks fit, alter the rate per centum upon which the calculations in this section are based; and

Amendment of s. 28.

5. Section twenty-eight of the Principal Act is amended—

(i.) by omitting paragraph (a) of sub-section (3.) and inserting in its stead the following paragraph:—

“(a) the unimproved value of a lease or leasehold estate in land means the value of the amount (if any) by which four and a half per centum of the unimproved value of land exceeds the annual rent reserved by the lease, calculated for the unexpired period of the lease at four and a half per centum, according to the calculations based on the prescribed tables for the calculation of values:

Provided that the Commissioner may from time to time, if he thinks fit, alter the rate per centum upon which the calculations in this section are based”; and

(ii.) by inserting in sub-section (3.) the following paragraph:—

“(c) the owner of a leasehold estate includes the lessee of land for life under a lease or an agreement for a lease.”

Amendment s. 34.

6. Section thirty-four of the Principal Act is amended by adding to paragraph (b) the following proviso:—

“Provided that, where a deduction is allowed in respect of the share of an annuitant as one of the beneficial owners of the land, the deduction under this section in respect of the annuity shall be the amount by which the value of the annuity applicable to the unimproved value of the land calculated as provided in this section exceeds the deduction allowed in respect of the annuitant’s share in the land.”

Amendment of s. 35.

7.—(1.) Section thirty-five of the Principal Act is amended by adding at the end thereof the following proviso:—

“Provided that an equitable tenant for life of land under a settlement made before the first day of July One thousand nine hundred and ten or under the will of a testator who died before that day shall not be entitled to be assessed as if he were the legal tenant for life of the land, without power to sell.”

Amendment, of s. 38

8. Section thirty-eight of the Principal Act is amended—

(a) by omitting sub-section (2.) and inserting the following sub-section in its stead:—

“(2.) Joint owners (except those of them whose interests are exempt from taxation under section thirteen or section forty-one of this Act) shall be jointly assessed and liable in respect of the land (exclusive of the interest of any joint owner so exempt) as if it were owned by a single person, without regard to their respective interests therein or to any deductions to which any of them may be entitled under this Act, and without taking into account any land owned by any one of them in severalty or as joint owner with any other person”;

(b) by inserting in sub-section (7.) after the words “In respect of each” the words “of the joint owners who holds an”;

(c) by inserting in paragraph (b) of sub-section (7.) after the words “unimproved value of the land” the words “, after deducting the value of any annuity under section thirty-four of this Act,”;

(d) by adding to sub-section (7.) the following proviso:—

“Provided that, where the same persons have a beneficial interest in land or in the income therefrom under more than one settlement or will or under a settlement and will, they shall be jointly assessed in respect of the whole of their interests under the settlements or wills or settlement and will, and there may be deducted in the joint assessment from the unimproved value of the land comprised in the joint assessment, instead of the sum of Five thousand pounds as provided by paragraph (b) of sub-section (2.) of section eleven of this Act, the aggregate of the following sums, namely:—

In respect of each of the joint owners who holds an original share in the land being jointly assessed—

(a) the total sum of Five thousand pounds, or

(b) the sum which bears the same proportion to the unimproved value of the land after deducting the value of any annuity under section thirty-four of this Act as the share bears to the whole,

whichever is the less.”; and

(c) by adding in sub-section (8.) after the words “interest in remainder” the words “after a life interest of the settlor or”.

9. After section thirty-eight of the Principal Act the following section is inserted:—

Deductions under original and subsidiary settlements and wills.

“38a.—(1.) Where, under a settlement made before the first day of July One thousand nine hundred and ten or under the will of a testator who died before that day (in this section referred to as the original settlement or will”) together with a settlement made before that day by a beneficiary under the original settlement or will of his share thereunder or a will of a beneficiary under the original settlement or will who died before that day, the beneficial interest in any land or in the income therefrom is for the time being shared among a number of persons, who are relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption of the original settlor or testator in such a way that they are taxable as joint owners under this Act, then, for the purpose of their joint assessment as such joint owners, there may be deducted from the unimproved value of the land, instead of the sum of Five thousand pounds as provided by paragraph (b) of sub-section (2.) of section eleven of this Act, the aggregate of the following sums, namely:—

In respect of each of the joint owners who holds an original share in the land under the original settlement or will—

(a) the sum of Five thousand pounds, or

(b) the sum which bears the same proportion to the unimproved value of the land, after deducting the value of any annuity under section thirty-four of this Act, as the share bears to the whole,

whichever is the less.

(2.) In this section, “original share in the land” means the share of one of the persons specified in the settlement or will as entitled to the first life or greater interest thereunder in the land or the income therefrom, or to the first such interest in remainder after a life interest of the settlor or after a life interest of the wife or husband of the settlor or testator.”

Amendment of s. 39.

10. Section thirty-nine of the Principal Act is amended by adding thereto the following sub-section:—

“(5.) A company shall be deemed to be the agent in the Commonwealth for the purposes of this Act for an absentee shareholder in respect of his interest in the company.”

11. After section forty-two of the Principal Act the following section is inserted:—

Occupation control or use of land.

“42a. Where land is occupied, controlled, or used by a person who is not the owner and there is no lease or agreement for a lease

for a definite term in respect of the occupancy, control, or user of the land, the person occupying, controlling, or using the land shall be deemed to be the lessee for life of the land and shall be assessable as provided in section twenty-seven of this Act:

Provided that the Commissioner may exempt the person occupying, controlling, or using the land from the provisions of this section, if he is satisfied that the arrangement is of a temporary nature, as to which matter the decision of the Commissioner shall be final and conclusive.”

Application of Act.

12.—(1.) The amendment made by this Act to sub-section (3.) of section twenty-seven of the Principal Act shall apply to all assessments, whether made before or after the commencement of this Act.

(2.) Except as provided in sub-section (1.) of this section, the amendments of the Principal Act made by this Act shall apply to assessments for the financial year beginning on the first day of July One thousand nine hundred and twelve and all subsequent years.

Overview

The Land Tax Assessment Act 1912 was enacted to amend the Land Tax Assessment Act 1910–1911, addressing specific gaps and issues within the original legislation. The Act was assented to on 24th December 1912 by the King's Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia. The primary aim of this Act was to refine and clarify the definitions and application of land tax assessments, ensuring more accurate and fair assessments for various property interests. Among its objectives was to adjust the way the value of improvements on land was assessed, ensuring that any added value did not exceed a reasonable amount, and to introduce provisions for leasehold interests that were created post the original Act's enactment. These amendments were designed to provide a more comprehensive and equitable framework for land tax assessments across different property ownership scenarios.

Scope and Application

The Land Tax Assessment Act 1912 amends the Land Tax Assessment Act 1910-1911, introducing modifications to the valuation and assessment of land and leasehold interests for taxation purposes. This Act applies to all persons and entities owning or occupying land within the Commonwealth of Australia, including leaseholders, joint owners, and companies acting as agents for absentee shareholders. Notably, the Act specifies that it applies to assessments made before and after its commencement in 1912, except where otherwise stipulated. The Act provides certain exemptions and thresholds, such as the ability for the Commissioner to alter percentage calculations and exempt temporary land occupiers from assessment if deemed appropriate. Additionally, the Act can extend or restrict its application through subordinate instruments, allowing for flexibility in its implementation and enforcement.

Key Provisions

The Land Tax Assessment Act 1912, as amended by this Act, introduces several key changes to the original Land Tax Assessment Act 1910–1911. Firstly, it modifies the definition of “Value of improvements” by adding a provision that ensures the added value does not exceed the amount that should reasonably be involved in bringing the unimproved value of the land to its improved value as at the date of assessment (Section 2). Secondly, it clarifies the types of estates subject to land tax by excluding certain estates arising by virtue of a lease for life under a lease or an agreement for a lease from the definition of “fee simple” (Section 3). Thirdly, it introduces new provisions for the assessment of leasehold estates in land, deeming the owner of a leasehold estate to be the owner of land of an unimproved value equal to the unimproved value of their estate, subject to certain conditions and deductions (Section 27). Additionally, it amends the provisions relating to the unimproved value of leasehold estates and the calculation of annual value of land (Sections 28 and 34). The Act imposes specific obligations on the parties it governs, including the requirement for the owner of a leasehold estate to be assessed as if they were the owner of the land of an unimproved value equal to the unimproved value of their estate. It also requires the deduction of certain amounts from the tax payable by the leaseholder, based on the unimproved value of their estate and any precedent leasehold estates (Section 27). Furthermore, the Act mandates that joint owners, except those whose interests are exempt from taxation, shall be jointly assessed and liable in respect of the land as if it were owned by a single person (Section 38). It also provides for the assessment of absentee shareholders through the company deemed to be their agent in the Commonwealth for the purposes of the Act (Section 39(5)). For breaches of the provisions of this Act, penalties and consequences are not explicitly stated within the text provided. However, the general legal framework of Australian legislation typically allows for enforcement actions, fines, or other civil and criminal consequences depending on the nature and severity of the breach. The Act's provisions are designed to ensure compliance with land tax obligations by clearly defining the tax liabilities and assessment methods for various types of land ownership and use.

Area of Law: Taxation Law
Instrument: Act
Concepts: Definitions & Interpretation; Repeal & Amendment; Transitional Provisions; Licensing & Registration; Compliance Obligations; Prohibited Conduct

Interactions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.

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