Policy paper: Land tax reform for affordable housing

Land tax is an important source of NSW State Government revenue. Land tax also has the potential to improve housing affordability for purchasers and renters, and economic activity generally. Our present system of land tax does not realise this potential, and should be reformed.

The Tenants' Union supports a broad-based land tax applying to all land, including land used for owner-occupied housing. Exemptions should be few and for the purpose of well defined public policy benefits. The rate of land tax should be set so that it replaces other taxes – particularly stamp duties, and possibly taxes on incomes too.