Yearly Archives - 2018
13Nov

Changes to GST Withholding – What You Need to Know

Changes to GST Withholding from 1 July 2018: What you need to know Announced in the 2017 Federal Budget and coming into effect on 1 July, 2018, the GST Withholding Law requires buyers of certain residential premises to withhold a portion of the purchase price from the seller at settlement to be paid as GST to the Australian Tax Office (ATO). This new law is designed to prevent tax avoidance by companies through phoenixing. The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) has...

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17Aug

Federal Budget 2018: Implications for Vacant Land Owners

Vacant land owners in Australia were the subject of tax incentive cutbacks in this year’s budget. The measures are set to reduce tax incentives for vacant land owners, who will be unable to claim certain expenses, such as interest and maintenance costs associated with the property in income tax returns. This is estimated to save $50 million, discourage “land banking” and increase the supply of land in the property market. What is “Land Banking”? “Land Banking” describes real estate investment involving the...

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18May

Olsen Lawyers Conveyancing Searches Guide

Searches conducted during a conveyance will ensure that good title is transferred to you upon settlement. This means you will be aware of any financial or other encumbrance and can act on this before settlement. This will ensure you aren’t taking over any of the previous owners’ unpaid debts and can use the property in line with your intended purpose. Example 1 – you purchase an existing house with a view to building a pool in the back yard, but failed...

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17Apr

How do the lockout laws affect your premises?

Under the Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (Qld) in conjunction with the Liquor Act 1992 (Qld), licensed premises in Queensland must abide by strict licensing laws. This new legislation was designed to minimise alcohol-related violence in “Safe Night Precincts” (“SNPs”). These precincts are key entertainment areas as defined by Tackling Alcohol-Fuelled Violence Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (Qld) s 173P (2). What this means for you Does your premises fall within an SNP area? As at March 2018, there are 15...

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08Mar

Buying at Auction: The Pros & Cons

Most purchases involving residential real estate in Queensland are governed by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland’s (REIQ) Standard Conditions, including provisions protecting the Buyer’s right to termination. However, when purchasing under auction conditions, these standard safeguards can unwittingly be reduced or even removed. Here are the pros and cons of purchasing under auction, and what you need to know and be armed with when you go along to auction day. Buyer’s basic termination rights under REIQ Standard Conditions Cooling-Off Period...

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