Queensland Government helps out Home Buyers with Stamp Duty Concessions.

If you’re buying a home or land in Queensland, you may be eligible for a saving on any stamp duty (known as transfer duty) payable.

Transfer duty is a tax paid to the QLD Government and it’s a substantial additional cost of buying a property.

The good news is that the Queensland Government offers some home buyers an exemption (or saving) on the stamp duty payable, up to the value of $17,350.

Who is eligible for the Stamp Duty Concession QLD?

There are three main transfer duty concession programs available for home buyers in Queensland covered in more detail below:

1. QLD Home Concession – for those buying a home they intend to live in as their main residence;
2. First Home Concession – for first time buyers of a home they intend to live in as their main residence;
3. First Home Vacant Land Concession – for first time buyers of vacant land where they intend to build their first home.

There is no transfer duty concessions in QLD for those buying an investment property.

Broadly speaking, the amount of stamp duty concession you get is based on:

• Type of property – brand new, existing home already build and lived in, vacant land
• Purchase price
• First time buyer, next home buyer or investor

QLD Home concession

If you are buying another home after your first home, you can save up to $7,175 in transfer duty. This is a concession for people buying a home to live in, rather than as an investment property.

For example, if you buy a home for $800,000 to live in you, you are eligible for transfer duty concession of $7,175 so you would need to pay $21,850 in transfer duty instead of $29,025.

If you were buying the property as in investment, you would get no stamp duty exemption, and pay the full $29,025.

QLD First Home Concession

The QLD First Home Concession is for first time buyers of property in Queensland, where you can save up to $17,350 in stamp duty.

The exact amount of stamp duty you need to pay depends on the purchase price where if you spend:

• Under $700,000 – pay no transfer duty;
• Between $700,000 to under $800,000 – pay a reduced amount of stamp duty;
• Over $800,000 – pay the full amount of stamp duty as there is no concession.

You can be eligible if you are buying a house, unit, apartment etc.

QLD First Home Vacant Land Concession

The QLD First Home Vacant Land Concession is for first time buyers of land in Queensland. You can save up to $10,675 on transfer (stamp) duty.

The exact amount of transfer (stamp) duty to pay depends on the purchase price of the land where if you spend:

• Under $350,000 – pay no transfer duty;
• Between $350,000 to under $500,000 – pay a reduced amount of stamp duty;
• Over $500,000 – pay the full amount of stamp duty as there is no concession.

When do I pay Stamp Duty on a property purchase in QLD?

Transfer duty needs to be paid upfront out of your savings, just before you settle on or take ownership of the property.

Before you buy property, you’ll need to calculate how much money you need saved upfront to cover both:

• the cost of stamp duty (unless you are getting the full exemption where you pay $0);
• other bank and government charges; and
• a deposit

As Brisbane mortgage brokersand Gold Coast mortgage brokers, we help with your home loan and as part of this service we guide you on:

• how much you need to save to cover costs like stamp duty and a deposit;
• how much you can borrow / spend on a home;
• how to improve your borrowing power; and
• how to get home loan ready.

At Blackk Mortgage Brokers, we would be delighted to help you purchase your first or next home so please book a free 20min call with me.

What other concession are available for first time buyers in QLD?

You’ll be interested to know that there are six other financial assistance programs you may be eligible for when buying a property in Queensland and we can guide you towards being eligible for multiple ones.

This service is free for all clients when we help get their home loan approved.

If you are interested, you can book a free 20min call with me.

How to avoid Stamp Duty QLD

The main way to avoid stamp duty on a property purchase in QLD is if you are a first time buyer who is:

• Buying a home for under $700,000, or
• Buying vacant land for under $350,000

There are additional eligibility criteria which apply which include:

• You have never held an interest in another residence in Australia (including no investment properties)
• Do not have to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident however Additional foreign Acquirer Duty may apply of you are a foreign person.

I find the Queensland Revenue Office are very helpful at answering any questions you may have, and they can be contacted on 1300 300 734.