If you are about to purchase a new or used vehicle there may be something you have overlooked.
Have you thought about stamp duty on the transfer of the vehicle? Stamp duty is payable when you register a brand new vehicle or transfer the registration of a second hand vehicle into your name.
This must be done within 14 days after you buy the vehicle. The stamp duty is paid to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles (Service SA Customer Centres) and the amount you will have to pay is based on the value of the vehicle.
Different rates apply according to whether a vehicle is classified as being a commercial or non-commercial vehicle. A commercial vehicle is defined in the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 as a motor vehicle constructed or adapted solely or mainly for the carriage of goods. This includes vehicles such as utilities, panel vans, vans and heavy vehicles. All other vehicles are classified as non-commercial.
The chart below shows the current rate of stamp duty on the transfer of a motor vehicle. Or you can use our on-line calculators:
On-line calculator for Non-Commercial Vehicles
On-line calculator for Commercial Vehicles
| Value | Non-Commercial Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Does not exceed $1000 | $1 for every $100 or part of $100 with a minimum of $5 payable in all cases. |
| Exceeds $1000 but not $2000 | $10 plus $2 for every $100 or part of $100 over $1000 |
| Exceeds $2000 but not $3000 | $30 plus $3 for every $100 or part of $100 over $2000 |
| Exceeds $3000 | $60 plus $4 for every $100 or part of $100 over $3000 |
| Value | Commercial Vehicles |
|---|---|
| Does not exceed $1000 | $1 for every $100 or part of $100 with a minimum of $5 payable in all cases. |
| Exceeds $1000 but not $2000 | $10 plus $2 for every $100 or part of $100 over $1000 |
| Exceeds $2000 but not $3000 | $30 plus $3 for every $100 or part of $100 over $2000 |
The Compliance Services Branch is regularly auditing motor vehicle dealers and private transactions to investigate low values and non transfers.
Any assessments issued by the Compliance Services Branch for under declaration of stamp duty must be paid direct to RevenueSA.
There are various exemptions from stamp duty on an Application to Register or Application to Transfer the Registration of a Motor Vehicle. To claim the majority of these exemptions, you can simply provide the necessary documentary evidence to the Service SA Customer Service Centre when registering your motor vehicle.
You may also be entitled to a refund of stamp duty paid. More information on exemptions and refunds.
Please see our Stamp Duty on Motor Vehicles page for further details.
