Last week, I mentioned the unique way in which the Queensland stamp duty rules can operate in relation to the transfer of shares in companies that act as trustees for discretionary trusts.
As touched on last week, the provisions are such that the transfer of shares in these companies can be charged with standard stamp duty rates based on the underlying market value (ignoring any debt) of the dutiable assets in the discretionary trust located in Queensland or Western Australia.
In Queensland there is however the ability to legitimately avoid this stamp duty cost, if the transaction comes within an exemption set out under the stamp duty rules.
Broadly these rules provide that so long as the transfer of shares is between individual members of a family group, and the trust is established primarily for the benefit of members of that family, then there will be no duty payable.
As the ability to access the stamp duty relief is subject to the discretion of the Stamps Office, there is the ability to get an indication on whether stamp duty relief is likely to be available and with the client that I mentioned last week, we have submitted a ruling application on their behalf.
If an unfavourable ruling is received, we will need to explore other, less commercially appropriate, alternatives to achieve the client’s overall objectives.
Until next week.
Matthew Burgess
