HRA response to free returns.
On 8 July 2024 following major concerns expressed by a number of breeders across Australia, ASBA contacted HRA to discuss the charging of the stallion levy, introduced from 1 September 2022, for foals born after that date from free returns that related to service fees paid in a previous breeding season.
Following that discussion with HRA CEO Andrew Kelly, ASBA advised via a Facebook post on July 10 that HRA, via Andrew Kelly, confirmed it was never the intention to charge the levy for historical free returns.
That is, it was never the intention to charge the stallion levy for foals born from a free return from a previous breeding season where the service fee was paid prior to the 2022 breeding season. This was the agreed and most ethical outcome.
It was further agreed by Andrew Kelly that studs should liaise with HRA to advise them of the free return status of any foals that match this circumstance.
We (ASBA) expect Andrew Kelly, as CEO of HRA, to be a man of his word and authorise the withdrawal of any requests for payment by studs, breeders or owners of any HRA stallion levy or tax applying to foals born from services paid prior to 1 September 2022
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