Business Taxation Information

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can assist small business with queries relating to business taxation. They can be contacted on 13 24 78 or visit their website at: www.ato.gov.au

ATO Bizstart Seminars Series aims to provide business operators with an introduction to the taxes that will affect their businesss. To book a seminar or to find out more phone 1300 661 104 or e-mail actbizstart@ato.gov.au

The ATO New Business Service provides FREE educational visits to people who have commenced business within the past 12 months. A one to one visit or presentation to a group can be arranged. The New Business Service is designed to assist new businesses to meet their business taxation obligations. An ATO Field Officer will cover the full range of business taxation obligations and can tailor the information to meet the needs of an individual business. To book your free appointment phone 13 28 66.

If you have a business or own commercial property in Canberra, you may be subject to the following taxes and levies. For more information please visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: www.revenue.act.gov.au , or the specific pages as indicated below.

Payroll Tax
If your business employs personnel in the ACT and you or your group pays monthly Australia-wide wages exceeding the ACT determined monthly threshold, then you are required to register, lodge a return and pay payroll tax in the ACT. For more information visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: Payroll Tax

Duty on Property Purchases
The purchaser of property (houses, land, land and buildings or commercial premises) located in the ACT must pay duty on the purchase. For further information visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: Duty on the Purchase of Property

Other Duties
Duty is imposed on insurance, the transfer of registration of a motor vehicle, commercial leases (ceases 1 July 2009), and unquoted marketable securities (ceases 1 July 2010). For information on these duties in the ACT visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: Duties

Land Tax
All rateable land in the ACT is subject to land tax payable by the owner. All commercial properties are liable for land tax, and residential properties are only liable for land tax if they are rented or owned by a company or trustee. Residential property owned by a building or development company may be exempt from land tax for a period of two years. For further information about Land Tax in the ACT visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: Land Tax  

Rates
ACT property owners pay Rates to provide funding for a wide range of municipal and other essential services to the ACT community. For further information about Rates visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: Rates

Fire and Emergency Services Levy
The Fire and Emergency Services Levy is chargeable on all rateable property in the ACT. For further information about the Levy visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: Fire and Emergency Services Levy

City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy
The City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy is imposed on rateable commercial land within a prescribed collection area and is used to promote, maintain and improve the amenity of the Civic area. For further information about the Levy visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: City Centre Marketing and Improvements Levy 

Utilities (Network Facilities) Tax
This tax, effective from 21 December 2006, is imposed upon the owners of any network facility on land in the ACT. A network facility is any part of the infrastructure of a utility network not fixed to land subject to either a lease, a license granted by the Territory or any right prescribed by regulation.

Utility networks include networks for transmitting and distributing electricity, gas, sewage, water and telecommunications. Examples of a network facility include powerlines or pipes over or under land, and telecommunications cabling. For further information visit the ACT Revenue Office Website at: www.revenue.act.gov.au/whats_new 

Luring Business
To attract, retain and develop the type of smart, new businesses and talent that fuel growth for Canberra's economy, the ACT Government offers support for business development in Canberra. This is through a variety of Business Assistance programs targeted at all levels of business and business needs.