REINSW calls for removal of stamp duty

The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales has collated a list of its concerns ahead of the NSW State Budget, with the abolishment of stamp duty the number one concern.

REINSW president John Cunningham said the NSW Government has left stamp duty rates unchanged for more than 30 years and are reaping the rewards at the expense of ordinary NSW citizens. 

“The NSW Treasurer and Premier must look to the lead of Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison who recognised the burden placed on middle Australians through bracket creep and lifted tax thresholds accordingly,” Mr Cunningham said. 

“The NSW Transfer Duty already collected for the 9 months from July 2015 to March 2016 is $6.749 billion.

“The NSW Half Yearly Review for 2015-16 highlighted stamp duty revenue in 2015-16 is forecast to be $863 million higher than at Budget at $7.841 billion, while Land tax revenue in 2015-16 is expected to be $104 million higher than at Budget at $2.764 billion."

“Based on Domain Group's March 2016 house price data, stamp duty of $31,827.50 would be  payable on a property at the median Sydney house price of $807,500. 

“On a house price of $1 million the stamp duty payable is $40,490, for houses over $1 million stamp duty payable is 5.5 per up to $3 million, and thereafter the rate becomes 7 percent.

“This means that after the stamp duty is paid, a man or woman on an average wage (currently around $75,000 to $77,000) would have to work for five to six months in order to just pay the stamp duty.

“This barrier to entry has become unjust and disproportionate over time. It is too much and is distorting social fortunes and creating a range of social challenges and consequences for young, middle aged and elderly people. "