19EALimited exempt land: adversely impacted commercial properties

19EA Limited exempt land: adversely impacted commercial properties

[Section 19EA Inserted by No. 14 of 2020, s. 4, Applied:01 Jul 2020]

(1)  Land tax is not payable in respect of land, during the eligible period, if –

(a) the Commissioner is satisfied, on either or both of the following grounds, that the land, on 1 July 2020, is commercial land:

(i) the code assigned to the land, as part of the last valuation of the land performed on or before 1 July 2020 under the Valuation of Land Act 2001 , is a commercial code;

(ii) such other grounds that the Commissioner considers reasonable in the circumstances; and

(b) the Commissioner is satisfied that the owner of the land has been adversely financially impacted during the pandemic period, in a manner that is unexpected and not insignificant, as a result of one or more of the following:

(i) the amount of income, payable to the owner in respect of the land, has been reduced as a result of the effects of COVID-19, including a loss of rent or licence fees;

(ii) all or any part of the land –

(A) is available for lease, or licence, during the pandemic period; and

(B) has remained vacant for all or part of that period despite the owner taking all actions, that are reasonable in the circumstances, to advertise that the land is so available; and

(C) in the opinion of the Commissioner, was not so leased, or licensed, as a result of the effects of COVID-19;

(iii) the business operated on the land by the owner has been affected as a result of the effects of COVID-19; and

(c) the owner of the land has applied to the Commissioner, before 1 July 2021 and in a form approved by the Commissioner, for land tax not to be payable in respect of the land during the eligible period; and

(d) the Commissioner has approved the application referred to in paragraph (c) in respect of the land.