第四解,REIQ合同中的三种税-商品服务税,外国居民资本利得预扣税和土地税。

Jason Yang
A calculator, a house miniature, some printed documents and money bills

前三章我们讲了合同里一些重要的条款,今天我们来讲一下大家比较关心的税务问题,一般土地交割会涉及到四种税,我会把耳熟能详的印花税放到下一章来讲,这一章我先来介绍一下另外三种,他们是 商品服务税(Good Service Tax),资本利得税(Capital Gains Tax)和土地税(Land Tax)。


1. 商品服务税预扣留款 

商品服务费(Good Service Tax),简称GST,一般用于出售商品或购买一些服务时需要交税。但在REIQ合同中,一些情况下,卖家在出售自住房或用于建自住房的空地时,需要缴纳商品服务税。一般情况下,除非有特殊说明,合同价格会包含商品服务税。在交割之前,买家需要根据卖家提供的书面通知向澳洲税务局进行预扣留款的登记。需要登记这笔交易中会有多少的扣缴金额。


扣缴金额的多少取决于卖家要用什么形式支付商品服务税,这里有三种方式。

(i). 如果是正常支付GST,卖家需要付全款的商品服务税,需要预扣留合同价格的1/11. 

(ii). 如果是用商品服务费增值税方案 (GST Margin scheme),需要预扣留合同价格的7%。增值方案一般是卖家公司常用的一种方案,因为卖家只需要缴纳之前买入的价格和现在出售价格中间差额的1/11。但是,增值方案只能在一些条件下才能使用: 

a.买家必须书面同意卖家使用增值方案。 

b.之前买入改房产的合同中,合同价格不能包含全额的GST。 

c.原卖家没有注册GST(通常情况下是指个人),如果原卖家是公司且注册gst,那么之前的交易中也必须用了了增值方案。 

(iii). 如果是交易过程中包含非非货币交换,比如土地互换。则扣缴金额计算为总货币价格(包括商品及服务税)加上非货币价值(包含消费税市场价值)的一部分。


如何缴纳商品服务税预扣留款。

在房产交割的时候,买家必须要从交割款中开出一张缴纳给税务局的预扣留款的支票,在交割的时候交给卖家,由卖家交给税务局。税务局收到支票后,会从预扣留款中扣除本次交易应缴纳的数额。剩下的数额会当作信用额度计算在该公司名下,用于改公司抵消以后应交的商品服务税。



2. 外国居民资本利得预扣税

一般来说,资本利得税就是纳税人在固定资产转让时为产生的利润差而交的税,一般来说自住房是不用缴纳资本利得税的,所以目的是对非澳洲纳税居民进行征税:

在房产买卖中,澳洲政府会把卖家假设成外国纳税人,所以如果交易价格超过75万澳币,买家要在交割的时候要把资本利得税的支票开出来,支票的金额一般为合同价格的12.5%。 但是卖家可以在交割前向政府申请清税证明,就不用交这笔钱: 

(i) 卖家可以在交割前向买家提供关于这个房产的清税证明,这个需要去向政府申请。 

(ii) 卖家也可以在交割前向买家提供卖家声明(Vendor declarations),声明本次交易不需要预扣留款,其中有两种形式的声明方式。 

a. 声明卖家是澳洲本地税务居民。 

b. 声明卖家处理的房产的权益不是间接的澳洲房产的权益。


3. 土地税

土地税一般用于纳税人在昆州拥有多处房产,税务局会计算纳税人在本财年所有房产价值的总和,来征税。一般来说,公司和个人会有不同的起征点。 

(i). 对于公司或信托来说,起征点是35万。 

(ii). 对于个人来说,起征点是60万。


一般在房产买卖中,买家律师会调查这块土地是否欠土地税。一般调查完之后会有三种结果:(Land tax clearance certificate) 

(i). 清税证明:在调查完之后,税务局会提供一个清税证明,来证明这个房产没有欠税,这样在交割的时候就不用调整。 

(ii). 本财年土地税没有交:这种情况下,税务局会给一个账单,按照账单里需要缴纳的数额,买家可以从交割款里开一张支票进行缴纳。也可以从让卖家自行缴纳,从而拿到清税证明。 

(iii). 第三方通知(GARNISHEE NOTICE): 如果我们收到的结果是第三方通知,证明卖家在之前的财年就有欠土地税,这个时候买家必须要从交割款里开出一张土地税的支票。来换清所有的土地税。

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Cash flow pressure, overdue tax and unpaid suppliers can build gradually, leaving company directors unsure whether the business is experiencing a temporary setback or may be insolvent. Recognising the warning signs and seeking advice early may preserve more options and help directors reduce their personal risk. A company is generally insolvent when it cannot pay its debts as and when they fall due. Financial difficulty does not always mean a business must close, but delays in seeking advice can reduce the restructuring options available, increase business losses and expose company directors to greater personal risk. Business Owner vs Company Director: What’s the Difference? A business owner is someone who owns all or part of a business, while a company director is formally appointed to manage a company and has specific legal responsibilities. In many small businesses, the owner is also a director, but this is not always the case – for example, a sole trader is a business owner but not a company director. Company directors are expected to stay informed about the company’s financial position and take action when warning signs emerge. Ignoring the problem or continuing to incur debts without a realistic ability to pay them may expose directors to serious consequences. Common Warning Signs of Insolvency Warning signs may include ongoing losses, poor cash flow, overdue tax or superannuation, suppliers being paid outside normal terms, increasing debt, difficulty collecting money owed to the business, reliance on personal funds, incomplete financial records, payment arrangements with selected creditors, demands or court documents and suppliers moving the company to cash-on-delivery terms. No single warning sign necessarily proves insolvency. However, directors should seek an immediate review of the company’s financial position when several signs occur together, debts cannot be paid on time or the company is relying on new borrowing or personal funds to meet existing obligations. What Are a Company Director’s Responsibilities? Company directors must understand the company’s operations and financial position, ensure proper records are kept and prevent the company from trading while insolvent. If insolvency is suspected, directors should investigate promptly and obtain appropriate accounting and legal advice. Directors should not rely solely on current bank balances. Cash flow forecasts, debts falling due, tax obligations, employee entitlements, available finance and the realistic recoverability of money owed to the company may all be relevant.  What Can Happen If a Company Trades While Insolvent? Continuing to incur debts while insolvent can lead to civil penalties, compensation claims and, in serious cases, criminal consequences. Directors may also face scrutiny over transactions made shortly before an external administration, including payments that unfairly favour one creditor or transfers that remove company assets for less than their true value. What Should Company Directors Do First? Company directors should bring the company’s financial records up to date, prepare a realistic cash flow forecast and identify debts that are already overdue or will shortly fall due. This information can help professional advisers assess whether the company can continue trading and which restructuring or external administration options may remain available. Directors should also avoid selectively paying creditors or transferring assets without advice, as those transactions may later be challenged. Professional advice should be sought before entering new commitments, using personal funds, granting security, selling assets or agreeing to arrangements that may affect creditors. Could the Business Be Restructured? Depending on the company’s circumstances, options may include informal negotiations with creditors, safe harbour planning, small business restructuring, voluntary administration or liquidation. The most appropriate pathway will depend on whether the underlying business is viable, the level and type of debt, available assets and the support of key stakeholders. Early advice is important because some options require careful planning and may no longer be available once the company has exhausted its cash or creditor support. How CJM Lawyers Can Help CJM Lawyers can advise company directors experiencing financial distress, assess legal risk, explain restructuring and external administration options and work alongside accountants and registered insolvency practitioners. We can also assist with creditor negotiations, statutory demands, court proceedings and disputes involving liquidators or company transactions. If your company is struggling to pay debts when they fall due, has overdue tax or superannuation, or is relying on personal funds to meet ongoing expenses, contact CJM Lawyers early. Timely advice may help clarify whether the company is insolvent, preserve restructuring options and reduce the risk of the situation becoming more difficult to manage. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The information may not apply to your circumstances and should not be relied on as a substitute for tailored legal advice. If you need advice, please contact CJM Lawyers to speak with one of our legal professionals.
By October 2026 Edition • 8 October 2026
Received a termination notice from your developer? Before accepting a refund or assuming the contract is over, take steps to protect your position. When an off-the-plan development is delayed, a developer may seek to end the sale contract by relying on a sunset clause or another contractual right. The notice can appear final, but whether the termination is valid will depend on the contract, the circumstances surrounding the delay and the steps taken by each party. CJM Lawyers recently acted for a purchaser in successfully disputing a developer’s attempt to terminate an off-the-plan contract relating to the Chevron One development on the Gold Coast. The Queensland Supreme Court declared the contracts valid and binding, verifying why buyers should obtain advice before treating a termination notice as the end of a matter. 1. Do Not Immediately Accept a Refund or Sign Further Documents Accepting the return of your deposit, signing a release or agreeing that the contract has ended may affect the options available to you. Before responding, seek legal advice about what the notice means and whether the developer has a valid right to terminate. 2. Check the Deadline for Responding The notice or contract may contain strict timeframes. Record the date the notice was received and arrange an urgent review so that any response, objection or court application can be considered before a deadline passes. 3. Gather the Contract and All Supporting Documents Locate the signed contract, disclosure material, variations, extension notices, emails, letters and any updates about construction or registration. These documents can help establish what the parties agreed, what caused the delay and whether the required process was followed. 4. Review the Sunset Clause and Termination Wording A sunset date passing does not necessarily mean a developer can automatically cancel. The exact wording of the contract, any notice requirements and the relevant law must be considered together. 5. Create a Timeline of the Development Prepare a simple timeline recording key dates, promised completion dates, extensions, reported causes of delay and communications from the developer. This can help us assess whether the developer contributed to the delay or complied with its obligations. 6. Be Clear About the Outcome You Want Some buyers want the contract to remain on foot so they can complete the purchase. Others may prefer to exit and recover their deposit. Your preferred outcome will help shape the legal and commercial strategy. 7. Obtain Legal Advice Early Early advice can help you understand whether the termination is likely to be valid, identify urgent steps and avoid actions that could weaken your position. Depending on the circumstances, options may include disputing the notice, negotiating with the developer or seeking court orders. How CJM Lawyers Can Help CJM Lawyers can review your off-the-plan contract, termination notice and supporting documents, explain your options and communicate with the developer on your behalf. Our Litigation team can also represent you in negotiations and court proceedings where necessary. If a developer is trying to cancel your off-the-plan contract, contact CJM Lawyers before accepting a refund, signing further documents or walking away from a property you still want to secure. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The information may not apply to your circumstances and should not be relied on as a substitute for tailored legal advice. If you need advice, please contact CJM Lawyers to speak with one of our legal professionals.
By September 2026 Edition • 10 September 2026
Bought off-the-plan and the developer is trying to cancel your contract? Don’t assume it’s the end of the road. Buying property is exciting, but buying off the plan comes with a unique risk: you are committing to a home or investment before it has been built. If completion is delayed and the developer later tries to walk away from the contract, buyers can be left uncertain about their rights, their deposit and the property they hoped to secure. That issue was recently considered by the Queensland Supreme Court in a case involving Chevron One Apartments on the Gold Coast, Queensland. CJM Lawyers acted for one of the purchasers in successfully disputing the developer’s right to terminate. The Court declared the contracts valid and binding, reinforcing an important message for buyers: if you receive a termination notice, it is worth getting legal advice before assuming your contract is over. What Is an Off-the-Plan Property? An off-the-plan property is a property purchased before construction is complete. Instead of buying an existing apartment, townhouse or home, the buyer enters into a contract based on plans, specifications and development documents. This type of purchase can appeal to buyers who want to secure a property early, plan a future move, arrange finance over time or invest before a project is complete. However, because construction and registration can take months or even years, off-the-plan contracts often include strict timelines and conditions that buyers need to understand before settlement. What Is a Sunset Clause? A sunset clause sets a deadline for important steps in a development to be completed. In an off-the-plan contract, this may include registration of the plan, creation of title, completion of construction or settlement. If the deadline passes and the required steps have not happened, the contract may give one or both parties a right to end the contract. However, that right is not always automatic – especially where a developer is relying on the clause to cancel the contract. The wording of the contract, the reason for the delay and any relevant legal requirements all need to be carefully considered. A Recent Win for Property Buyers CJM Lawyers recently acted for one of the purchasers in Supreme Court proceedings concerning the Chevron One development on the Gold Coast. The purchasers had entered into off-the-plan contracts in 2021, with settlement to occur by dates set several years later. When those dates passed, the developer sought to end the contracts. The buyers refused to accept the terminations and took the matter to the Supreme Court. CJM Lawyers acted for one of the purchasers in successfully disputing the developer’s right to terminate. The Queensland Supreme Court declared the contracts valid and binding. Critically, the Court found no basis for allowing the developer to benefit from its own breach of contract. The developer's attempt to point to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions as justification for termination was also rejected. What Should Buyers Do If a Developer Tries to Terminate? If a developer sends you a sunset clause termination notice, do not assume your contract is over. Whether the termination is valid may depend on the wording of the contract, the reason for the delay, the timing of the notice and the steps taken by each party. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible if your development has experienced lengthy delays, you have received a termination notice, a developer is relying on a sunset clause, or you are unsure whether your contract is still binding. Getting advice early can help you understand your rights before you accept a refund, sign documents or make decisions that may affect your legal position. How CJM Lawyers Can Help CJM Lawyers can assist buyers with off-the-plan property disputes, sunset clause issues and proposed contract terminations. Our Litigation team can review your contract and supporting documents, assess whether a termination is likely to be valid, explain your options, negotiate with developers and represent you in court proceedings where necessary. If your developer is trying to cancel your off-the-plan contract, speak with CJM Lawyers before accepting a refund, signing further documents or walking away from a property you still want to secure. Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. The information may not apply to your circumstances and should not be relied on as a substitute for tailored legal advice. If you need advice, please contact CJM Lawyers to speak with one of our legal professionals.
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