Mr. Wyatt questions the Treasurer on land tax revenue estimations, property prices reflected in land tax bills, and measures against bracket creep. The Treasurer provides a general response, deferring to the midyear financial statements for updated figures and noting a quiet property market.

AnsweredQoN 522Legislative Assembly
Asked
15 September 2010
Portfolio
Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

STATE BUDGET 2010–11 — LAND TAX REVENUE
The 2009–10 budget estimated land tax for 2010–11 was $470 million. In the 2010–11 budget this estimation rose to $527 million. (1) What is the latest estimation for revenue from land tax this financial year? (2) Will land tax bills sent to Western Australians in 2010 reflect budget assumptions regarding property prices? (3) Will the Treasurer introduce legislation to ensure that bracket creep does not create a multimillion-dollar tax grab for his government? Mr C.J. BARNETT

AnswerView source ↗

(1)–(3) Not surprisingly, I do not have weekly forecasts on land tax revenues. However, in the midyear financial statements, which will come down toward the end of this calendar year, there will be an update of all budget statistics, including land tax revenue. The property market has been comparatively quiet. I would have anticipated more of an upswing in property transactions, but that has not happened. On current trends, I would say that the budget might be a bit down on land tax revenue collections. That is as I see it now, but if the market picks up over the remaining nine months of this year, it may come in on budget. As the member well knows, he can look at the figures in the midyear review.
(1) What is the latest estimation for revenue from land tax this financial year? (2) Will land tax bills sent to Western Australians in 2010 reflect budget assumptions regarding property prices? (3) Will the Treasurer introduce legislation to ensure that bracket creep does not create a multimillion-dollar tax grab for his government? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) Not surprisingly, I do not have weekly forecasts on land tax revenues. However, in the midyear financial statements, which will come down toward the end of this calendar year, there will be an update of all budget statistics, including land tax revenue. The property market has been comparatively quiet. I would have anticipated more of an upswing in property transactions, but that has not happened. On current trends, I would say that the budget might be a bit down on land tax revenue collections. That is as I see it now, but if the market picks up over the remaining nine months of this year, it may come in on budget. As the member well knows, he can look at the figures in the midyear review.
(2) Will land tax bills sent to Western Australians in 2010 reflect budget assumptions regarding property prices? (3) Will the Treasurer introduce legislation to ensure that bracket creep does not create a multimillion-dollar tax grab for his government? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) Not surprisingly, I do not have weekly forecasts on land tax revenues. However, in the midyear financial statements, which will come down toward the end of this calendar year, there will be an update of all budget statistics, including land tax revenue. The property market has been comparatively quiet. I would have anticipated more of an upswing in property transactions, but that has not happened. On current trends, I would say that the budget might be a bit down on land tax revenue collections. That is as I see it now, but if the market picks up over the remaining nine months of this year, it may come in on budget. As the member well knows, he can look at the figures in the midyear review.
(3) Will the Treasurer introduce legislation to ensure that bracket creep does not create a multimillion-dollar tax grab for his government? Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) Not surprisingly, I do not have weekly forecasts on land tax revenues. However, in the midyear financial statements, which will come down toward the end of this calendar year, there will be an update of all budget statistics, including land tax revenue. The property market has been comparatively quiet. I would have anticipated more of an upswing in property transactions, but that has not happened. On current trends, I would say that the budget might be a bit down on land tax revenue collections. That is as I see it now, but if the market picks up over the remaining nine months of this year, it may come in on budget. As the member well knows, he can look at the figures in the midyear review.
Mr C.J. BARNETT replied: (1)–(3) Not surprisingly, I do not have weekly forecasts on land tax revenues. However, in the midyear financial statements, which will come down toward the end of this calendar year, there will be an update of all budget statistics, including land tax revenue. The property market has been comparatively quiet. I would have anticipated more of an upswing in property transactions, but that has not happened. On current trends, I would say that the budget might be a bit down on land tax revenue collections. That is as I see it now, but if the market picks up over the remaining nine months of this year, it may come in on budget. As the member well knows, he can look at the figures in the midyear review.
(1)–(3) Not surprisingly, I do not have weekly forecasts on land tax revenues. However, in the midyear financial statements, which will come down toward the end of this calendar year, there will be an update of all budget statistics, including land tax revenue. The property market has been comparatively quiet. I would have anticipated more of an upswing in property transactions, but that has not happened. On current trends, I would say that the budget might be a bit down on land tax revenue collections. That is as I see it now, but if the market picks up over the remaining nine months of this year, it may come in on budget. As the member well knows, he can look at the figures in the midyear review.

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