Q Solicitors

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This month we farewell the Stamp Duty Home Concession which concludes on 31st July and touch on the dangers of Smart Phones and Emails.

Most of our readers would be aware of the highly publicised changes to Stamp Duty in the recent State budget.  The change which potentially has the largest impact is the abolition of the Home Concession on 31st July 2011.  This means that the discount which was allowed for actually living in the property, no longer applies and the full amount of stamp duty is to be paid. 

Queensland has been fortunate enough to be the only state with this concession, however, the State Government has brought our State into line with the other states.

But what is stamp duty, and where does your money go?

Initially stamp duty was payment for the actual stamp which was applied to documents when a property was purchased.  This has evolved over many decades and stamp duty is now a levy or tax placed on the transaction.  This is not an insignificant amount of money.  In fact, it can run into many thousands of dollars and is often perceived as the State Government receiving "it's cut".

When stamp duty is collected, it is added to the State Government budget and is to be used for Health, Transport & Roads, Police, Justice & Emergency Services, Education & Training, Human Services, and Environment and so on.

However, when the media reports of Government spending which we may consider as wasteful, such as personal drivers or travel benefits for Members of Parliament, table decorations at Government dinners and pre-election advertising, we tend to react poorly.

The reality is that the State Government will spend money on such items regardless.  The revenue must come from somewhere and you and I will be taxed one way or another.  Let's also not forget that the GST was supposed to cover these additional taxes...

Unfortunately there is little we can do to affect how the Government collects or spends tax other than to complain.  All we can do is be prepared.  Yes, paying stamp duty when purchasing a home is an extra cost that we could all do without, however, it is a necessary part of the process and there is little we can do, other than make allowance in our savings.

For those lucky enough to be purchasing their home before 31^st July, enjoy your concession!

For more information relating to stamp duty http://www.osr.qld.gov.au/duties/index.shtml

As many of us now have Smart Phones, we are familiar with the frustrations of AUTO CORRECT which can make our most well intended messages, not only grammatically incorrect, but also seriously alter the meaning of the message.

The DYAC website has a huge number of very funny (and somewhat unsavoury) examples for our entertainment.  However, it is important to consider the implications, particularly in the work place, of sending an incorrect SMS.

Imagine as a Lawyer, if I sent out the following message to a client announcing her successful Divorce Application:-

Hardly professional, and does not incite confidence in the Solicitor.  Similarly, we must all be careful with our emails and email policies in our work place.  If you would like assistance in formulating email, internet usage and social media policies in your workplace, contact us and we will help to ensure that you do not compromise your business' professionalism.

Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal & someone always answers.

Law of the Alibi - If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tyre, the very next morning you will have a flat tyre.

Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better.. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick.

Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Law of Close Encounters -The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

Do you have any legal questions you would like to ask?  Perhaps you would like us to discuss a particular topic in our next newsletter.  Let us know how we can help by sending an email to: enquiries@qsolicitors.com.au

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"Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one."

Bill Gates

Regards,

Q Solicitors
9/14 Macquarie Street Teneriffe QLD 4005
Phone: 07 3358 2399
Email: enquiries@qsolicitors.com.au
Web: qsolicitors.com.au