I am a Property Owner/Buyer...
If you own or are planning to buy property in South Australia you may be liable for certain state taxes and levies. These are:
- Stamp Duty
- Land Tax
- Emergency Services Levy
Stamp Duty
The largest state taxation liability when purchasing a home is stamp duty, which is incurred on the transfer of the property. The amount of stamp duty you are required to pay is assessed on the purchase price, or the market value of the property at the date of settlement, whichever is the greater.
Stamp duty must be paid in order for you to be registered as the owner on the Certificate of Title for the property with the Land Services Group.
Please click here to access the Stamp Duty on Conveyances Calculator which can assist you in estimating the amount of stamp duty payable.
For more information on stamp duty please click here or contact our stamp duty call centre on 08 8226 3750 or email.
Land Tax
Land tax is an annual tax which applies to all properties in South Australia, however there are tax-free thresholds and exemptions which exclude a number of properties from the tax.
If you are purchasing a vacant piece of land, or a property that was an investment property for the previous owner, you may be required to pay an amount of land tax at the time of settlement. Generally properties that are resided in by the owner as their principal place of residence are exempt from land tax. Any adjustment of land tax payable will be made by the conveyancer engaged to transfer the property.
If you are required to pay an amount of land tax at settlement, you can apply to RevenueSA for a refund of the amount paid, assuming the property becomes your principal place of residence and all legislative requirements are met. To apply for a refund, you need to complete an Application for Refund of Land Tax paid at Property Settlement Form.
If you are building your first home, and construction is still occurring on 30 June (the date land tax is calculated on), you may find you are liable to land tax. If so, you can apply for an exemption, as long as you move into the property as your principal place of residence before the following 30 June. To apply for an exemption, you need to complete an Application for Residential Exemption Application Form.
For more information on land tax please click here or contact our land tax call centre on 08 8204 9870 or by email.
Emergency Services Levy
The Emergency Services Levy is applied each financial year to properties in South Australia. The money raised through this levy is allocated to fund essential emergency services.
As with land tax, if you are purchasing a property you may be required to pay a proportion of the levy at settlement, as you would for council or water rates. Each year, as the owner of the property, you will be required to pay the levy, which is calculated on the property's value, use and region.
For more information on the Emergency Services Levy please click here or contact our emergency services levy call centre on 1300 366 150 or by email.
This page was last reviewed 4 April, 2011
