Western Australian Consolidated Acts

DUTIES ACT 2008

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 1 -- Preliminary  

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Terms used  
   4.      Relationship with Taxation Administration Act 2003  
   5.      GST, effect of on value or consideration  
   6.      Family relationships, determining  
   7.      Wound up, defined  
   8.      Notes in text

CHAPTER 2 -- Transfer duty

   PART 1 -- Preliminary  

   9.      Terms used

   PART 2 -- Imposition of transfer duty  

   10.     Transfer duty imposed

   PART 3 -- Dutiable transactions and dutiable property

           Division 1 -- Dutiable transactions  

   11.     Dutiable transactions, defined  
   12.     Vesting of property by statute law, defined  
   13.     Farm-in agreement, defined  
   14.     Transactions as to chattels, which are dutiable

           Division 2 -- Dutiable property  

   15.     Dutiable property, defined  
   16.     Right, defined  
   17.     New dutiable property, defined  
   18.     Special dutiable property, defined

   PART 4 -- Collection of transfer duty

           Division 1 -- Liability for transfer duty  

   19.     When liability for duty arises  
   20.     Who is liable to pay duty  
   21.     Joint tenants to be treated as tenants in common in equal shares

           Division 2 -- Lodging transaction records  

   22.     Transfer duty statement to be made if no instrument  
   23.     Instrument or statement for dutiable transaction, duty to lodge  
   24.     Form of dutiable transaction

           Division 3 -- Payment of transfer duty  

   25.     When duty must be paid

           Division 4 -- Rate of transfer duty  

   26.     Rate of transfer duty

           Division 5 -- Dutiable value  

   27.     Dutiable value of dutiable transactions, unless otherwise provided  
   28.     Dutiable value of certain dutiable transactions  
   29.     Dutiable value of certain dutiable transactions relating to corporation or unit trust scheme property on winding up  
   30.     Consideration for dutiable transaction  
   31.     Changes to consideration before transfer, consequences of  
   32.     Contingent consideration not paid, consequences of  
   33.     Agreement by instalments determined before final payment, consequences of  
   34.     Options conferred by dutiable transactions that are exercised or not renewed, consequences of  
   35.     Option to acquire dutiable property, duty paid on to be credited  
   36.     Unencumbered value of property, determining  
   37.     Aggregation of dutiable transactions  
   38.     Transactions as to dutiable and not dutiable property, duty on  
   39.     Partitions of property, dutiable values in case of  
   40.     Exchanges of dutiable property, duty on

           Division 6 -- No double duty  

   41.     No double duty -- general  
   42.     No double duty -- particular dutiable transactions  
   43.     Persons related to purchaser for s. 42(2)(a)

   PART 5 -- Application of this Chapter to certain transactions

           Division 1 -- Simultaneous put and call options  

   44.     Terms used  
   45.     Call option of simultaneous put and call option to be taken to be agreement for transfer of option property  
   46.     Simultaneous put and call option, dutiable value of  
   47.     Dutiable transaction referred to in s. 45, duty paid on to be credited  
   48.     Simultaneous put and call option not exercised or assigned, consequences of  
   49.     Assignment of call option to be taken to be agreement for transfer of option property  
   50.     Assignment of call option, dutiable value of  
   51.     Dutiable transaction referred to in s. 49, duty paid on to be credited  
   52.     Assigned call option not exercised or further assigned, consequences of

           Division 2 -- Discretionary trust acquisitions and surrenders  

   53.     Partnership or trust holding property, defined  
   54.     Taker in default, defined  
   55.     Trust acquisition, defined  
   56.     Trust surrender, defined  
   57.     When discretionary trust holds indirect interest in dutiable property  
   58.     When person acquires interest in discretionary trust  
   59.     Trust acquisition or trust surrender, dutiable value of  
   60.     Interest in discretionary trust of taker in default, defined  
   61.     Taker in default’s interest, value of for s. 59(b)  
   62.     When trust acquisition or trust surrender is not dutiable transaction

           Division 3 -- Corporate trustees  

   63.     Terms used  
   64.     Trustee of discretionary trust holding property, defined  
   65.     Corporate trustee, defined  
   66.     When corporate trustee holds indirect interest in dutiable property  
   67.     Share disposition taken to be agreement for transfer of trust property  
   68.     Transaction referred to in s. 67, dutiable value of  
   69.     Person liable to pay duty on disposition of share

           Division 4 -- Partnerships  

   70.     Term used: dutiable property  
   71.     Partnership or trust holding property, defined  
   72.     Partnership acquisition, defined  
   73.     When partnership holds indirect interest in WA land  
   74.     Partner’s partnership interest, defined  
   75.     When person acquires partnership interest  
   76.     Partnership acquisition, dutiable value of  
   77.     Partnership interest, value of for s. 76(b)  
   78.     Transfer of dutiable property of partnership to retiring partner, dutiable value of

           Division 5 -- Western Australian business assets  

   79.     Terms used  
   80.     Some transactions involving business licences to be taken to be agreements to transfer WA business assets  
   81.     Transactions for particular WA business assets that are not dutiable transactions  
   82.     Dutiable transaction for business asset, dutiable value of  
   83.     Certain business licences required by Cwlth law, dutiable value of for s. 82(a)  
   84.     Business licences required by WA law, dutiable value of for s. 82(b)  
   85.     Dutiable value of business asset where principal place of business is in WA  
   86.     Dutiable value of business asset where principal place of business is out of WA

           Division 6 -- Conditional agreements  

   87.     Conditional agreement, defined  
   88A.    General conditional agreements, no duty on if terminated on relevant grounds  
   88.     Farming land conditional agreement, defined  
   89.     Mining tenement conditional agreement, defined  
   90.     Issue of title conditional agreement, defined  
   91.     Subdivision conditional agreement, defined

   PART 6 -- Exemptions, nominal duty and concessions

           Division 1 -- Exemptions  

   92.     Public authorities, declaration of as exempt bodies  
   93.     Transactions for which exempt body would be solely liable  
   94.     Transactions for which exempt body and another party would be liable, duty reduction for etc.  
   95.     Transactions for charitable etc. purposes  
   96.     Terms used  
   97.     Some transactions between spouses or de facto partners  
   98.     Application for exemption under this Subdivision  
   99.     Terms used  
   100.    Family member, defined  
   101.    Transferee, defined  
   102.    Exempt family farm transaction, defined  
   103.    Exempt family farm transactions, exemption for  
   104.    No exemption for subsequent transactions for same farming property within 5 years  
   105.    Subsequent liability to duty in certain circumstances  
   106.    Application for an exemption under this Subdivision  
   107.    Cancelled transactions  
   108.    Bankruptcy transactions  
   109.    Transfer etc. to foreign country’s representative etc.  
   110.    Financial Sector (Business Transfer and Group Restructure) Act 1999 (Cwlth) Part 4 transactions  
   111.    Special disability trust transactions  
   112.    Some transactions under other Acts  
   113.    Transactions effected by matrimonial instrument or de facto relationship instrument

           Division 2 -- Nominal duty  

   114.    Some transfers etc. on vesting or termination of discretionary trust  
   115.    Some transfers etc. on exercise of power of appointment by trustee of discretionary trust  
   116.    Some transfers etc. of dutiable property to beneficiary  
   117.    Transactions involving apparent purchaser  
   118.    Transfer to and from trustee  
   119.    Transactions related to changes in trustees and managed investment schemes  
   120.    Transfer by way of security  
   121.    Terms used  
   122.    Some transfers etc. of dutiable property to superannuation fund for consideration  
   123.    Subsequent liability in certain circumstances  
   124.    Some transfers etc. of dutiable property to superannuation fund without consideration  
   125.    Transfer from one superannuation fund to another  
   126.    Some transfers etc. of dutiable property between trustees and custodians of superannuation funds  
   127.    Some transfers etc. of dutiable property from superannuation fund to member  
   128.    Terms used  
   129.    Matrimonial instrument, defined  
   130.    De facto relationship instrument, defined  
   131.    Transactions effected by or in accordance with matrimonial instrument or de facto relationship instrument  
   132.    Transactions becoming ones to which s. 131 applies, reassessment of  
   133.    Evidence as to marriage or de facto relationship  
   134.    Some transfers etc. of certain lots under planning scheme  
   135.    Farm-in agreements  
   136.    Business licences held under Fish Resources Management Act 1994  
   137.    Transfers etc. to change joint tenancy to tenancy in common etc.  
   138.    Transactions to correct clerical errors in previous dutiable transactions  
   139.    Some transactions involving deceased estates  
   140.    Prescribed dutiable transactions

           Division 3 -- First home owner concessions  

   141.    Terms used  
   142.    FHOG concessional transaction etc., defined  
   143.    Concessions for first home owners  
   144.    Application for concession under this Division  
   145.    Subsequent liability in certain circumstances  
   146.    Other provisions about first home owner concessions

           Division 4A -- Residential concession  

   147A.   Terms used  
   147B.   Eligible transaction, defined  
   147C.   Concessional transaction, defined  
   147D.   Residential property, defined  
   147E.   Concessional rate of duty chargeable on concessional transactions  
   147F.   Eligible transactions to be reassessed if construction of residence begins etc. in certain time  
   147G.   Application for assessment or reassessment at concessional rate

           Division 4 -- Residential or business concessions  

   147.    Concessional rates for transactions referred to in Stamp Act 1921 s. 75AE

CHAPTER 3 -- Landholder duty

   PART 1 -- Preliminary  

   148.    Terms used  
   149.    Entitlement to land, determining  
   150.    Unencumbered value of land or chattels

   PART 2 -- Imposition of landholder duty  

   151.    Landholder duty imposed

   PART 3 -- Certain key concepts defined and related provisions  

   152.    Entity, defined  
   153.    Interest in a landholder or other entity, defined  
   154.    Interest of person in landholder etc., calculating

   PART 4 -- Landholders to which this Chapter applies  

   155.    Which entities are landholders  
   156.    Which entities are linked to an entity  
   157.    Land of linked entity, value of for s. 155  
   158.    Extent of interest in discretionary trust  
   159.    Extent of interest in partnership

   PART 5 -- Acquisitions to which this Chapter applies

           Division 1 -- Means by which interest acquired  

   160.    When a person acquires an interest in an entity

           Division 2 -- Relevant acquisitions of interests in landholders  

   161.    Terms used  
   162.    Related persons, defined for s. 163 and  
   163.    Relevant acquisition, defined  
   164.    Relevant acquisition, defined  
   165.    Term used: acquisition  
   166.    Effect of acquisition being exempt  
   167.    Exemption if nominal duty would be chargeable on transfer  
   168.    Exemption if transfer duty would not be chargeable  
   169.    Exemption if acquisition is dutiable under s. 67  
   170.    Exemption relating to approved arrangements with creditors under Corporations Act  
   171.    Exemption of acquisition by family member of interest in corporation engaged in primary production  
   172.    Calculation of duty where some land of corporation not used for primary production  
   173.    Reversal of exemption where certain changes made to discretionary trust  
   174.    No exemption where interest transferred within 5 years

   PART 6 -- Collection of landholder duty

           Division 1 -- Preliminary  

   175.    Term used: acquirer  
   176.    When acquisition occurs  
   177.    Certain transactions to be treated as agreements  
   178.    Exceptions to s. 177

           Division 2 -- Liability  

   179.    Who is liable to pay duty  
   180.    Application to Commissioner for determination of liability  
   181.    Determination of s. 180 application  
   182.    Powers of Commissioner where further information required for determination of s. 180 application

           Division 3 -- Payment of landholder duty  

   183.    When landholder duty must be paid

           Division 4 -- Rates of landholder duty  

   184.    Rates of landholder duty

           Division 5 -- Calculation of landholder duty  

   185.    Interest of the acquirer in a landholder, defined  
   186.    Value of a landholder, defined  
   187.    Determining value of further interest for duty calculation  
   188.    Calculating duty payable  
   189.    Reduction where significant interest acquired  
   190.    Excluded interest, defined for s. 189  
   191.    Reduction where further interest acquired  
   192.    Excluded interest, defined for s. 191  
   193.    Calculation of duty where statement lodged under s. 201  
   194.    Calculation of duty on certain acquisitions on winding up of corporation or unit trust scheme

           Division 6 -- Reassessment of liability for landholder duty  

   195.    Reassessment of duty where s. 149 applied  
   196.    Reassessment of duty where s. 176(2) applied  
   197.    Condition precedent to reassessment under s. 195 or 196  
   198.    Taxation Administration Act not affected

           Division 7 -- Lodgment of statements  

   199.    Term used: acquisition statement  
   200.    Acquisition statement to be lodged  
   201.    Acquisition of further interests, lodgment of periodical statements may be approved  
   202.    Lodgment obligations if s. 201 application refused  
   203.    Form and content of acquisition statements  
   204.    Failure to lodge acquisition statement

           Division 8 -- Information to be provided to Parliament  

   205.    Minister to inform Parliament of amounts of duty assessed etc. before 1 July 2011

CHAPTER 4 -- Insurance duty

   PART 1 -- Preliminary  

   206.    Terms used

   PART 2 -- Imposition of insurance duty  

   207.    Insurance duty imposed  
   208.    Contract of insurance, defined  
   209.    General insurance, defined  
   210.    Additional insurance in life insurance policy is general insurance  
   211.    Premium, defined  
   212.    When premium paid

   PART 3 -- Collection of insurance duty

           Division 1 -- Liability  

   213.    Who is liable to pay duty  
   214.    General insurer, defined

           Division 2 -- Amount of insurance duty  

   215.    Amount of duty payable  
   216.    Policies effecting general insurance and other insurance, duty on

           Division 3 -- Insurers  

   217.    General insurers to apply to be registered  
   218.    Registration of general insurers  
   219.    Return period of registered insurer, defined  
   220.    Registered insurers to lodge returns  
   221.    Time for payment of duty by insurers  
   222.    Cancelling registration of general insurers

           Division 4 -- Insured persons  

   223.    Some insured persons to lodge statements  
   224.    Time for payment of duty by insured persons

   PART 4 -- General provisions as to insurance duty  

   225.    Insurer and intermediary to notify Commissioner of contracts of insurance  
   226.    Refunds of duty if premium refunded  
   227.    Records to be kept

CHAPTER 5 -- Vehicle licence duty

   PART 1 -- Preliminary  

   228.    Terms used

   PART 2 -- Imposition of vehicle licence duty  

   229.    Vehicle licence duty imposed  
   230.    Vehicle and licence, defined

   PART 3 -- Collection of vehicle licence duty

           Division 1 -- Preliminary  

   231.    Terms used

           Division 2 -- Liability  

   232.    Who is liable to pay duty

           Division 3 -- Assessment and payment of vehicle licence duty  

   233.    Assessment of duty  
   234.    Applicant for licence to state dutiable value of vehicle etc.  
   235.    Payment of duty

           Division 4 -- Amount of vehicle licence duty  

   236.    Amount of duty payable

           Division 5 -- Dutiable value of a vehicle  

   237.    Certain new vehicles, dutiable value of  
   238.    Certain other vehicles, dutiable value of  
   239.    Specialised vehicles, dutiable value of

   PART 4 -- Exemptions and nominal duty

           Division 1 -- Exemptions -- general  

   240.    If no vehicle licence fee payable under Road Traffic Act  
   241.    If transfer is a reconstruction transaction  
   242.    If vehicle previously licensed to licence holder  
   243.    If licence is for certain heavy vehicle  
   244A.   If transfer is between spouses or de facto partners  
   244.    If licence is for prescribed class of person or vehicle etc.

           Division 2 -- Exemptions -- motor vehicle dealers  

   245.    Use of vehicle includes for minor incidental purposes  
   246.    If licence is for vehicle in dealer’s trading stock  
   247.    If licence is for vehicle used for charitable etc. purposes  
   248.    Change of permitted use of exempt vehicle, Commissioner to be notified  
   249.    Change of use of exempt vehicle to non-permitted use, consequences of

           Division 3 -- Nominal duty  

   250.    Transactions chargeable with nominal duty

   PART 5 -- General provisions as to vehicle licence duty  

   251.    Failure to apply for transfer of licence  
   252.    Seller to state dutiable value of vehicle etc.  
   253.    Functions of Director General and Commissioner  
   254.    Form of certain declarations  
   255.    Director General’s duties  
   256.    Records to be kept by dealers

CHAPTER 6 -- Certain exemptions for connected entities  

   257.    Terms used  
   258.    Members of a family, defined  
   259.    Relevant consolidation transaction, defined  
   260.    Relevant reconstruction transaction, defined  
   261.    Predetermining certain questions  
   262.    Application for exemption  
   263.    Grant of exemption  
   264.    Commissioner to be notified of certain events after exempt relevant transaction  
   265.    Revoking exemption  
   266.    Liability for duty and tax if exemption revoked

CHAPTER 7 -- General anti-avoidance provisions  

   267.    Scheme, defined  
   268.    Tax avoidance scheme, defined  
   269.    Deciding whether proposed scheme would be disregarded under s. 270  
   270.    Certain tax avoidance schemes, Commissioner may disregard  
   271.    Statement in relation to determination

CHAPTER 8 -- Other general provisions

   PART 1 -- Duty endorsement  

   272.    Duty endorsed, defined  
   273.    Endorsing transaction records as to duty paid etc.  
   274.    Endorsement of duty that depends on duty paid on another transaction  
   275.    Duty endorsement is evidence of certain matters

   PART 2 -- Enforcement  

   276.    Dutiable transactions etc. not to be registered etc. unless duty endorsed  
   277.    Business licences not to be registered etc. unless duty endorsed or instrument lodged  
   278.    Caveat as to dutiable transaction not to be registered unless transaction is duty endorsed or lodged  
   279.    Transaction records not evidence etc. unless duty endorsed  
   280.    Unlodged instruments, duty of non-party to lodge

   PART 3 -- Miscellaneous  

   281.    Transaction records etc., Commissioner’s power to destroy  
   282.    Correction of errors  
   283.    Amounts expressed in foreign currency  
   284.    Application of Corporations Act s. 1070A(1)(a) limited  
   285.    Regulations  
   286.    Transitional provisions (Sch. 3)
           SCHEDULE 1 -- When liability for transfer duty on a dutiable transaction arises and the person liable to pay it
           SCHEDULE 2 -- Rates of transfer duty
           SCHEDULE 3 -- Transitional provisions
           Compilation table