What relief is available?

If your vehicle was lost/destroyed due to the River Murray Floods in the specified flood area, relief from stamp duty on the transfer of registration or on the application to register a vehicle is available.

What is the specified flood area?

The areas impacted by the River Murray floods in the Local Government Areas of:

• Alexandrina Council
• Berri Barmera Council
• Coorong District Council
• District Council of Karoonda East Murray
• District Council of Loxton Waikerie
• Mid Murray Council
• Murray Bridge Council
• Pastoral Unincorporated Area; and
• Renmark Paringa Council.

Does it matter when the vehicle was lost/destroyed?

The vehicle must have been lost/destroyed due to the River Murray Floods between 15 November 2022 and 9 February 2023.

When does the relief end?

The relief is available to applications received up to and including 1 March 2024.

How much is the relief?

Relief is capped at the stamp duty payable on a $71,849 vehicle. This means relief is available up to:

• $2,816 for a private/non-commercial vehicle
• $2,127 for a commercial vehicle

What if I purchase a vehicle valued at more than $71,849?

If you purchase a vehicle which is valued over $71,849, you will still be eligible for relief to the capped amount.

How many vehicles can I claim relief for?

You can request the relief at the time of applying to register or transferring registration for up to 2 vehicles.

Relief for additional vehicles, will be assessed on a case-by-case basis at the time of application.

Does the replacement vehicle have to be the same as the lost/destroyed vehicle?

No, the replacement vehicle does not need to be the same type or model, nor does it need to be the same value as the vehicle lost/destroyed.

For example, you may replace a lost/destroyed station wagon with a dual cab utility.

Is relief only on cars?

No, relief is available for any vehicle that can be registered and where stamp duty applies. This includes sedans, station wagons, people movers, vans, utilities, motor bikes, trucks and semi-trailers.

Is relief available for replacement trailers or caravans?

No. The transfer of registration of trailers and caravans does not attract stamp duty.

Do I have to live in the specified flood area to be eligible for the relief?

No. You may still be eligible for relief if the vehicle was lost/destroyed due to the River Murray Floods between 15 November 2022 and 9 February 2023.

If your residential address or the garaging address for the lost/destroyed vehicle was not in the specified flood areas, but the vehicle was lost/destroyed as a direct result of the River Murray Floods, you can still apply for the relief.

Together with your application, you will need to provide a copy of the police report or insurance claim that evidences that the vehicle was lost/destroyed.

Do I have to be the owner of the vehicle that was lost/destroyed to get the stamp duty relief?

Where the owner of the replacement vehicle is not identical to the owner of the vehicle that was lost/destroyed, relief will apply in the following scenarios:

Can I get the relief at the time of transfer?

Yes. If you have just purchased, or about to purchase, a replacement vehicle you can request the relief at the time of applying to transfer a vehicle, for up to 2 vehicles.

The lost/destroyed vehicle must have been registered at some point during the 2 years preceding its loss/destruction.

Together with your application, you will need to provide a copy of the police report or insurance claim evidencing the vehicle was lost/destroyed due to the River Murray Floods. If you do not have a police report or insurance claim, other evidence or a declaration may be provided.

What if I am purchasing a vehicle from a dealer?

Vehicle dealers are unable to provide the relief. If purchasing from a dealer you should organise to undertake the registration/transfer yourself at a Service SA Customer Service Centre in order to claim the relief.

I’ve already purchased a replacement vehicle and paid stamp duty, can I get a refund?

Yes. If you have already purchased a replacement vehicle and paid stamp duty you can get a refund.

Please visit a Service SA Customer Service Centre and bring along a copy of the police report or insurance claim that evidences that the vehicle was lost/destroyed. If you do not have a police report or insurance claim, other evidence or a declaration may be provided.

My lost/destroyed vehicle was not registered, can I get relief on its replacement?

Yes, as long as the lost/destroyed vehicle was registered at sometime within the 2 years prior to being lost/destroyed.

My vehicle was lost/destroyed by flooding that is not a specified flood area?

If your vehicle has been lost/destroyed by flooding, which was not within a specified flood area and you have purchased a replacement vehicle, you can request for relief to be considered.

Please email returns@sa.gov.au with details of your vehicle, the location the vehicle was lost/destroyed, supporting evidence and reasons why relief should be provided.

These instances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Is other relief available?

Yes. Relief is also available for:

• stamp duty on the purchase of a replacement home
• land tax on a business/rental property destroyed/substantially damaged due to River Murray Floods and a loss of taxable income can be shown
• *emergency services levy paid on the active registration for a lost/destroyed vehicle. Service SA will administer the emergency services levy relief for vehicles alongside the registration cancellation process. If eligible, you will receive 2 payments, one for the registration cancellation and one for the emergency services levy. Together, these will total the full amount of the eligible entitlement.

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