71E—Transactions otherwise than by dutiable instrument
(1) Subject to
subsection (2), this section applies to a transaction in the following
circumstances—
(a) the
transaction results in a change in the ownership of a legal or equitable
interest in—
(i)
land; or
(iii)
an interest in a partnership; and
(b)
—
(i)
the transaction is not effected, or not wholly effected,
by an instrument on which ad valorem duty is chargeable; but
(ii)
if the transaction had been effected, or wholly effected,
by an instrument, the instrument would be chargeable with duty as a conveyance
or as if it were a conveyance.
(2) This section does
not apply to any of the following transactions—
(a) the
appointment of a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy;
(b) the
appointment of a liquidator;
(c) a
compromise or arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 of
the Commonwealth;
(e) any
other transaction of a prescribed class.
(3) Where a
transaction to which this section applies is entered into, a statement in a
form approved by the Commissioner must be lodged with the Commissioner setting
out—
(a) the
nature and effect of the transaction;
(b) a
description of the property affected by the transaction;
(c) a
statement of the value of any property to which the transaction relates;
(d) a
statement of any consideration that has passed or is to pass between the
parties to the transaction.
(4) Duty is payable on
the statement as if it were a conveyance effecting the transaction to which it
relates.
(4a) A statement under
this section will, for the purposes of this Act, be taken to be an instrument
executed by the person required to lodge the statement on the date of the
change in legal or equitable ownership of property effected by the transaction
to which the statement relates.
(5) Where a statement
is lodged with the Commissioner under this section—
(a) any
instrument that relates to the same transaction is not chargeable with duty to
the extent to which duty has been paid on the statement; and
(b) the
statement will not be charged with duty to the extent that duty has been paid
on any instrument that relates to the same transaction.
(6) If a statement
relating to a transaction to which this section applies is not lodged with the
Commissioner in accordance with this section within two months after a change
in legal or equitable ownership of property is effected by the
transaction—
(a) each
party to the transaction is guilty of an offence; and
(b) the
parties to the transaction are nevertheless jointly and severally liable to
pay duty to the Commissioner as if such a statement had been lodged with the
Commissioner immediately before the end of that period of two months.
(7) A person who aids,
abets, counsels or procures another person to enter into a transaction to
which this section applies knowing that none of the parties to the transaction
intends to lodge a statement under this section is guilty of an offence.
(8) A person who is
guilty of an offence against this section is liable to a fine not exceeding
$10 000.
(9) If a statement
relating to a transaction to which this section applies is lodged with the
Commissioner but it is subsequently established to the satisfaction of the
Commissioner that the transaction is not to be completed, the Commissioner may
refund any duty paid on the statement.