Land Tax Lawyers

Land tax can be a major ongoing expense for property owners, especially as land values rise and thresholds tighten. Many owners only discover their liability after receiving an unexpected assessment or reassessment from Revenue NSW.

Our experienced land tax lawyers advise and represent clients on land tax assessments, exemptions, principal place of residence claims, trust and related entity ownership and land value objections. We help you understand your liability, minimise exposure and resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively.

What is land tax?

Land tax is an annual tax charged by revenue authorities on the total taxable value of land you own in the state, excluding your principal place of residence.

The value is based on figures provided by the Valuer General, who determines the land value of each property every year.

Land tax applies whether the land is vacant or improved and is calculated on the combined value of all your taxable landholdings. If your land exceeds the tax-free threshold, you will receive a land tax assessment.

Understanding how the tax works, and how to reduce or challenge it, is where experienced land tax lawyers can help.

Who needs to pay land tax?

Not every property owner has to pay land tax, but many do.

Individuals, companies and trusts can all be liable if the value of their landholdings exceeds the threshold set by revenue authorities each year.

Investment properties, holiday homes and vacant blocks are commonly caught, while your main residence is usually exempt.

Certain structures, such as family trusts, can also be subject to surcharge land tax if they don’t meet disclosure requirements.

Because liability depends on ownership structures and exemptions, getting advice from land tax lawyers ensures you know exactly where you stand.

How is land tax calculated?

Your land tax bill is calculated by adding together the land value of all your taxable properties.

Revenue authorities apply the tax-free threshold, then charges tax at either the general rate or the premium rate if your landholdings exceed a higher limit.

Surcharge land tax may also apply if you are a foreign owner or a trust that hasn’t nominated a beneficiary.

Because the calculation depends entirely on the underlying land values, an inflated or incorrect valuation can result in you paying thousands more than necessary.

In these cases, lodging a land value objection is often the most effective way to reduce your land tax.

What exemptions are available from land tax?

There are a number of exemptions that can reduce or eliminate your liability. The most common is the principal place of residence exemption, but others include:

primary production land used for farming or agriculture;
boarding houses that meet prescribed criteria;
charitable, religious, and not-for-profit organisations; and
certain retirement villages and strata properties.

Applying for an exemption requires detailed evidence and strict compliance with revenue authority requirements.

Having land tax lawyers assist with your application gives you the best chance of approval and ensures you’re not paying tax you don’t owe.

Can I challenge my land tax assessment?

Yes. If you believe your assessment is wrong, you have options. You can lodge a land value objection with the Valuer General if the underlying land values are excessive.

You can also request a review or appeal if revenue authorities have incorrectly applied the law, denied an exemption or imposed surcharge land tax unfairly.

These processes are time-sensitive and technical. With the help of experienced land tax lawyers, your objection or appeal will be supported by the right evidence, strong legal reasoning and a clear strategy to give you the best chance of success.

Managing Tax, Protecting Property

Land tax can impact your cash flow and property strategy. We act quickly to review your position, pursue exemptions or objections and safeguard your financial interests.

Further Tax Solutions

Why seek advice on land tax?

Land tax can create significant and ongoing financial pressure. With experienced legal advice, you can make sure you are only paying what is fair under the law.

Lower Land Tax Liability

We identify practical ways to reduce your land tax bill, whether through exemptions, concessions or challenging inflated valuations. Our goal is to ensure you only pay what is legally required.

Correct Land Tax Assessments

We carefully review your land tax assessment to check the law has been correctly applied. This includes confirming your properties are aggregated properly and compared against accurate land values.

Strong Representation

We prepare objections and appeals supported by detailed sales evidence and strong legal reasoning. By anticipating the arguments of revenue authorities, we give your case the best chance of success.

Lasting Confidence

With us managing the process, you can focus on your property and finances knowing your position is protected. We resolve your land tax issues effectively and give you peace of mind.

We’re here to manage your land tax

Our role is to simplify a complex system, protect your rights, and ensure your land tax obligations are fair and accurate.

Why choose us for your land tax matter?

We combine deep knowledge of tax law with practical strategies to deliver results for our clients.

Expert Advice

We give clear guidance on land tax, from understanding how assessments work to identifying ways to reduce liability. Our advice is practical, reliable and focused on achieving the best outcome.

Proven Results

We’ve helped clients across Australia challenge inflated assessments, secure exemptions, and cut thousands from their annual land tax bills, providing lasting financial certainty.

Personalised Service

Every property and ownership structure is different. We tailor our strategies to your landholdings, goals, and circumstances, ensuring a fair and accurate land tax outcome.

Cost Effective Approach

We focus on upfront advice and practical solutions that reduce disputes and keep costs under control, while still pursuing the best possible result for you.

Client Testimonials

I contacted Axe Legal after receiving a land tax bill that seemed far higher than expected. Boris reviewed the assessment, identified that the underlying land value was inflated and lodged an objection with detailed evidence. The valuation was reduced and my bill dropped by over $7,000. I couldn’t have asked for a better result.

When Revenue NSW denied my principal place of residence exemption, I was lost. Stefan explained exactly why the application failed and prepared new supporting evidence. The exemption was approved and the refund was processed within weeks. Axe Legal turned a frustrating experience into a relief.

As a trustee, I was shocked to find out our family trust was being charged surcharge land tax. Boris reviewed the trust deed, prepared the necessary disclosure forms and successfully had the surcharge removed. His attention to detail and clear communication made the process completely stress free.

My accountant referred me to Axe Legal after I received multiple land tax assessments that didn’t make sense. Stefan reviewed my ownership structure, confirmed some properties were wrongly aggregated and had the errors corrected. I ended up saving thousands in annual land tax. I can’t thank the team enough.

After buying an investment property, I was hit with a large land tax bill I wasn’t expecting. Boris explained how land tax thresholds worked, guided me through an objection and dealt with Revenue NSW directly. The outcome was better than I hoped for and I finally understand how the system works.

I engaged Axe Legal to help challenge an excessive land tax assessment on several commercial properties. Their submission to the Valuer General was meticulous and backed by strong sales data. The revised valuation reduced my liability by more than 20%. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for property tax advice.