Transparency in the valuation of land for land tax purposes in New South Wales

Transparency is an important taxation principle in maintaining integrity in the taxation of land. This paper is a review of improvements in transparency following recommendations for reforms to the valuation of land by the NSW Ombudsman in 2005. Data on objection rates to land values has been sourced from the NSW Department of Lands both pre and post the introduction of the 2005 reforms recommended by the NSW Ombudsman. This paper attempts to measure improvements in transparency via changes in objection rates to land values issued by the Valuer-General, resulting from the availability of sales information to land tax payers from 2005. In conclusion a summary of improvements in transparency are provided as well as recommendations for refinements in the development of further transparency measures which may be adopted.