You’ve saved for your first home, and have a deposit ready. Great, how about for stamp duty? (Here’s a stamp duty calculator for reference.)

Stamp Duty Costs in NSW

What is stamp duty? Stamp duty in NSW?

You’ve done the hard work, saved up and are finally ready to buy your first home – congratulations! But before you can start planning your housewarming party, there’s one more thing to think about: stamp duty.

Stamp duty is a tax that’s payable on all property purchases in NSW, and it can add up to a sizable amount of money. The amount you’ll need to pay depends on the value of the property, but you can use a stamp duty calculator to get an estimate. Stamp duty is also known often as transfer duty.

So before you start shopping for your dream home, make sure you factor in stamp duty costs. That way there won’t be any nasty surprises when it comes time to sign on the dotted line.

In every state and territory in Australia, stamp duty is a tax that must be paid when you buy a property. The rates vary between states, and even within states depending on the value of the property being purchased. In New South Wales (NSW), transfer duty is based on the dutiable value of the property. The dutiable value is generally the purchase price, or market value of the property – whichever is greater.

Stamp duty in NSW is based on either the price you paid for the property or the market value of the property – whichever is greater. Rates vary between states and territories, which calculate stamp duty differently.

Who has to pay stamp duty?

Stamp duty is a tax that is levied on documents that are transferred from one person to another. The most common type of stamp duty is on the transfer of property, but stamp duty can also be levied on the transfer of shares, insurance policies, and even some contracts. In most cases, it is the responsibility of the buyer to pay stamp duty, although there are some exceptions. For example, in some cases stamp duty may be paid by the seller, or it may be split between the buyer and seller. Stamp duty is usually calculated as a percentage of the value of the property or contract being transferred, and it is typically payable within a few months of the transfer taking place.

NSW stamp duty rates are generally lower for residential properties than they are for non-residential properties. This is because the NSW government recognises that people need a place to live, and so they incentivise investment in housing. However, there are some situations where the reverse is true. For example, if you purchase a property that is zoned for commercial use, you will have to pay higher stamp duty rates. This is because the government wants to encourage investment in businesses, which create jobs and drive economic growth. Ultimately, whether you pay higher or lower rates of stamp duty will depend on the type of property you purchase and its intended use.

There are some exemptions and concessions available in NSW which can reduce the amount of stamp duty you pay. For example, first home buyers may be eligible for a concession.

When do you have to pay stamp duty?

Stamp duty in NSW is payable on the transfer of NSW real estate. The amount of duty payable depends on the type of property, the dutiable value of the property and the applicant’s eligibility for any concessions or exemptions. NSW stamp duty must be paid within 3 months of the date of transfer. If you do not pay stamp duty within this time, you will be liable for interest and penalties.

The amount to pay stamp duty will also depend on whether the property is residential or non-residential, as well as any exemptions or concessions that may apply. For example, first home buyers may be eligible for a concession.

How to pay stamp duty?

You can pay NSW stamp duty online, by cheque or by credit card. For more information, visit the NSW Office of State Revenue website.

What happens if you don’t pay stamp duty?

There can be a number of consequences if you don’t pay stamp duty. The most obvious one is that you may be prosecuted and fined. In addition, the property you purchase may be subject to a forced sale, and you may also be liable for any mortgage or loan repayments on the property. If you’re found to have knowingly avoided paying stamp duty, you may also be subject to a jail sentence. So it’s definitely not worth trying to avoid paying this important tax. Make sure you budget for it when purchasing a property, so you don’t find yourself in hot water down the line.

Stamp duty exemptions

Did you know that there are some instances where stamp duty isn’t payable? For example, if a property is transferred between parties as a result of a divorce, stamp duty exemption may apply. This is also the case for transfers between married couples or de-facto partners, provided the property being transferred is the family home (i.e. principal place of residence, not an investment property). So if you’re planning on transferring a property in these circumstances, be sure to check whether stamp duty exemption may apply – it could save you a lot of money!

First home buyers and stamp duty

For first home buyers, stamp duty payable can be a major financial obstacle. This tax is levied on the purchase of property, and can add thousands of dollars to the cost of a home. In some states, first home buyers are eligible for a stamp duty exemption, which can save them a significant amount of money. However, first home buyers should be aware that they may still be required to pay other taxes, such as capital gains tax, when they sell their property. As a result, it’s important to do your research and understand all of the costs associated with purchasing a home before you make an offer. During 2022 in New South Wales, for example, the stamp duty on a $500,000 property would be about $17,805.

Is stamp duty the same for established homes and vacant land?

This really depends on the state. In NSW, rates of stamp duty are the same for established homes, new homes, vacant land, as well as between owner occupied properties and investment properties. In Queensland however, this is not the case. Vacant land and investment properties attract a higher transfer duty or stamp duty.

Foreign residents and stamp duty

If you’re a foreign resident looking to purchase property in New South Wales (NSW), you’ll need to pay stamp duty as well. Foreign persons are required to pay a surcharge of 8 percent Stamp duty is a tax that’s levied on the purchase of property, and the rates can vary depending on your residency status. It’s important to get good advice as to whether you are required to pay the stamp duty surcharge as a foreign person, or whether you meet the criteria to avoid the stamp duty surcharge.

Calculating stamp duty in NSW

When you’re buying a property in NSW, stamp duty is one of the costs you’ll need to factor in. Fortunately, there’s a stamp duty calculator on the NSW Office of State Revenue website which makes it easy to work out how much stamp duty you’ll need to pay. Simply enter the purchase price of the property and the calculator will do the rest. The amount of stamp duty you’ll need to pay will depend on a number of factors, predominantly if you’re a first home buyer or not. Fortunately, the stamp duty calculator on the NSW Office of State Revenue website takes all of this into account, so you can be sure that you’re getting an accurate estimate of the stamp duty you’ll need to pay.

You can calculate the amount of stamp duty you will need to pay using our online NSW property stamp duty calculator – stamp duty calculator NSW. It’s important to note that our stamp duty calculator NSW does not look at commercial property and only focuses on residential property.

Are there any other fees payable when buying property?

In addition to the purchase price and stamp duty, there are a number of other fees that you will need to pay when buying property. These include legal fees, and other government charges. You will also need to pay for a building and pest inspection, as well as insurance. Depending on the type of property you are purchasing, there may also be other fees, such as strata fees or body corporate fees. It is important to factor these additional costs into your budget to ensure that you can afford the property you are interested in.

If you have any further questions about stamp duty in NSW or our stamp duty calculator, qualified Sydney mortgage brokers are here to help so make sure to contact us.