The Act Interpretation Section 63 – Meaning of “effective date” of a transaction
152.Section 63 defines “effective date”. This date is the tax point that determines when liability to tax and notification obligations arise. In most cases the effective date will be when the buyer pays the price and settles the transaction. Special rules apply for contracts that are substantially performed before completion, for the grant of options and rights of pre-emption and for agreements for lease which are substantially performed. The power in subsection (1)(b) allows for regulations to prescribe a date other than the date of completion as the effective date. Such regulations will be subject to the negative procedure (see section 68).