Wine equalisation tax rebate concern on rise as survey finds growing pessimism among vignerons

A national survey of small and medium winemakers has found widespread pessimism about proposed changes to the wine equalisation tax. The 2016 Federal Budget revealed plans to lower the WET rebate from $500,000 to $290,000, with businesses without a financial stake in processing facilities no longer eligible. The results found more than one third of the 600-odd producers who took part in the survey would be worse off under the changes, while 40 per cent would not be eligible for the rebate.