FOREIGN PERSON STAMP DUTY: QUICK READ
If you are looking to purchase a property in Australia, you would have heard of stamp duty, also known as transfer duty. Generally, the stamp duty for Australian Citizens is at the 4% mark of the purchase price.
The surcharge for a “foreign person” is 8%, totalling stamp duty to 12% The following are considered as “foreign persons” for stamp duty purposes:
Other than an Australian Citizen, someone who is not an ordinary resident of Australia (i.e. has not reside in Australia for at least 200 days within the last 12 months);
A foreign corporation or a foreign government;
A corporation in which an individual, or two or more persons are not ordinary residents of Australia;
A trustee of a trust in which an individual, or two or more persons are not ordinary residents of Australia;
A foreign government;
A foreign government investor; and
General partners of limited partnerships.
