Land tax home exemption for individuals
Understand the eligibility requirements for a home exemption and the different ways you can apply.
You can claim a home exemption on land, or the part of land, you use as your home.
There is no exemption specifically for seniors or pensioners.
Generally, land tax exemptions are not automatic—you must apply for them. For land with joint owners, each owner wanting to claim an exemption must apply separately. Depending on the information that we have, you may receive an exemption for land used as your home without having to apply. In these situations, we’ll send you a notice about the exemption that has been applied, the date of effect and what to do if you believe you’re not entitled to the exemption.
If more than 50% of the land you reside on is used for primary production (e.g. farming or agriculture), you should consider applying for a primary production exemption instead of the home exemption. You can also apply for a primary production exemption for any other landholdings that are used for that activity.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a home exemption, you must meet all the following conditions.
- You (the owner) must:
- be an individual and not own your interest as a trustee
- have occupied a home on the land on or before the liability date (i.e. 30 June)
- have only 1 principal place of residence
- use the land exclusively as your home; or, in the circumstances where you use a portion of the home for a non-exempt purpose, use the home substantially as your home.
- The land must, at the liability date:
- contain a home
- comprise 1 parcel.
- contain a home
Absentees are not eligible for a home exemption.
Partial exemptions
A partial home exemption is available where land is used both as a home and for a non-exempt purpose (e.g. two allowable lettings in place occupying more than 50% of the total floor areas of all residential areas on the land).
We will consider these applications based on the relevant circumstances.
For more information, see:
- section 42 of the Land Tax Act 2010
- the public ruling on the land tax exemption for a home (LTA000.1).
How to calculate land tax
If your application for a home exemption is approved, your total taxable land will exclude your home.
- See the land tax threshold and rates for individuals.
- Use the land tax estimator to calculate your liability.
James owns one property that he uses exclusively as his home. It has a taxable value of $999,999.
His application for the home exemption is approved. This means that his total taxable value is reduced to $0.
- Without the exemption, James’s land tax would be $4,499.95.
- With the exemption applied, his land tax is $0.00.
Shruthi owns 5 properties. She uses one of the properties exclusively as her home. It has a taxable value of $999,999.
The total taxable value of all of Shruthi’s properties is $3,999,999.
Shruthi’s application for the home exemption is approved. Her total taxable value is reduced to $3,000,000 ($3,999,999 less $999,999).
- Without the exemption, Shruthi’s land tax would be $49,999.95.
- With the exemption applied, her land tax is $37,500.
Apply for exemption
To apply for a home exemption for an individual, you need to complete Form LT12. There are 3 ways you can do this:
- Option 1: Create a full-access QRO Online account to apply for the exemption and manage ongoing land tax obligations.
- Option 2: Create a quick-access QRO Online account to apply for the exemption only.
- Option 3: Complete an online version, without having to create an account.
Each owner wanting to claim an exemption must complete a separate form. For example, if you own the home with your spouse, you would separately log in to your personal accounts and submit 1 application each.
Before you start, you must have created your personal QRO Online account. If you need help with this, you can:
- see how to create an account
- watch our video tutorial
- read our technical help.
Follow these steps to apply for the exemption.
- Log in to QRO Online.
- On the Home screen, select the My land tile.
If you can’t see this tile, you may not have finished verifying your identity. - Select Manage exemptions from the side menu.
- Select Lodge new exemption.
- Select the LT12 tile.
The explanatory notes under the tile will help you complete the form. - Complete the form and click Submit.
Watch a video of the steps to lodge an application.
If you have trouble submitting the application, log out of QRO Online. Wait, then log in again using Google Chrome. Your form will be saved in Manage exemptions under Actions. Check the details and click Submit.
You can check the progress of your application under Actions:
- Edit draft—means you have saved your application as a draft, but not yet submitted it. Make sure you have completed all fields and click Submit.
- View form—means you have submitted your application.
- If approved, you’ll see your exemption by selecting Manage exemptions from the left menu.
- If not approved, we’ll notify you in writing.
Before you start, you must have created your personal QRO Online account. If you need help with this, you can:
- see how to create an account
- read our technical help.
Follow these steps to apply for the exemption.
- Log in to QRO Online.
- On the Home screen, select Apply for a land tax exemption (under ‘Online forms’).
- Enter your identification details and click Next.
- Select the LT12 tile.
The explanatory notes under the tile will help you complete the form. - Complete the form and click Submit.
We’ll send you a decision notice confirmation after we have processed your exemption claim.
You can submit Form LT12 online. Read the guide, complete the fields (including the declaration) and press Submit.
We’ll send you a decision notice confirmation after we have processed your exemption claim.
Also consider…
- Read the public ruling on the land tax exemption for a home (LTA000.1).