CGT exemption for “granny flats”
The Budget confirms that the Government will put in place a “targeted” CGT exemption for granny flat arrangements.
Under the measure, CGT will not apply to the creation, variation or termination of a granny flat arrangement providing accommodation where there is a formal written agreement in place. The Budget states that it will apply to arrangements that provide accommodation for “older Australians or those with a disability”. There are no further details as to what constitutes “older” or “disability”.
The exemption will only apply to agreements that are entered into because of “family relationships or other personal ties” and will not apply to commercial rental arrangements.
It is intended that the measure commence from 1 July 2021 (ie next financial year), subject to the passage of necessary legislation.
The measure was earlier announced by the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer on 5 October 2020, the day the Government also publicly released the Board of Taxation’s report on the taxation of granny flat arrangements (the report had been provided to the Government in November 2019). That report recommended the CGT exemption.