Vacant Residential Land Tax & Absentee Owner Surcharge - What to Do If You Missed the Deadline
The State Revenue Office (SRO) of Victoria requires property owners to declare vacant residential land tax and absentee owner surcharge annually. The deadline for these notifications was 15 January 2025. If you missed this deadline, it's important to act now to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with Victorian tax regulations.
What Is Vacant Residential Land Tax?
Vacant residential land tax applies to residential properties in Victoria that were vacant for more than six months in the previous calendar year. This tax is designed to encourage property owners to utilise their properties rather than leaving them unoccupied.
Key Points:
The tax applies to residential land within specific local council areas in Victoria.
A property is considered vacant if it was unoccupied for more than six months in 2024.
The tax is calculated as a percentage of the property’s capital improved value (CIV).
Some exemptions apply, including for holiday homes, new residential developments, and specific hardship cases.
What Is the Absentee Owner Surcharge?
The absentee owner surcharge applies to land owned by individuals, corporations, or trusts that are based overseas. This is an additional charge on top of standard land tax for absentee owners.
Key Points:
The surcharge applies to Victorian land owned by non-residents or foreign entities.
If you were an absentee owner in 2024, you were required to declare your status before 15 January 2025.
Failure to notify may result in additional penalties.
What to Do If You Missed the Deadline
If you did not submit your vacant residential land tax or absentee owner surcharge notification by the 15 January deadline, you still have options to rectify your situation.
Step 1 | Notify the State Revenue Office (SRO) Immediately
Even though the deadline has passed, you can still notify the SRO. Late notifications may attract penalties, so it’s crucial to act quickly.
Submit your vacant residential land tax notification here: SRO Website
Notify the SRO of your absentee owner status here: SRO Website
Step 2 | Check If You Qualify for an Exemption
If your property was vacant due to legitimate reasons—such as ongoing renovations, change in ownership, or personal hardship—you may qualify for an exemption.
Use the SRO’s vacant land tax calculator to see if you are liable.
Review exemption criteria for holiday homes and properties under development.
Step 3 | Understand the Potential Penalties
Missing the deadline could result in penalty tax and interest charges. The SRO may impose penalties for late submissions, and failure to comply could lead to higher land tax assessments in the future.
How Strategem Can Help
Navigating Victoria’s land tax obligations can be complex. At Strategem Financial Services, we assist property owners in understanding their tax obligations, identifying exemptions, and ensuring compliance to avoid costly penalties.
We can support you with:
✔ Personalised advice on land tax obligations and exemptions
✔ Assistance with SRO notifications and appeals
✔ Strategic planning to minimise land tax liabilities in future years
Act Now to Stay Compliant
If you’ve missed the deadline for notifying the SRO about vacant residential land tax or absentee owner surcharge, don’t delay—take action today to avoid further penalties.
Book a consultation with our property tax specialists at Strategem Financial Services to review your land tax obligations and ensure compliance for the next financial year.
We are here to help
If you need further advice, please do not hesitate to contact our office on (03) 5445 4777 and one of our Accountants & Advisors are available to support you.
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