Stamp duty exemption on electric vehicle purchases

A stamp duty exemption was applied to eligible new and used electric light vehicles (EVs) under 4.5 tonne gross vehicle mass (including motorcycles) registered from 1 September 2021 in NSW. The exemption ended on 31 December 2023.

Important changes from 1 January 2024

The stamp duty exemption ended on 31 December 2023.   

Individuals and businesses that purchased or placed a deposit on an eligible EV prior to 1 January 2024 will still be eligible to receive the stamp duty exemption, regardless of whether the vehicle has been delivered by that date. This ensures that purchasers who were unable to register their vehicle by 31 December 2023 are not disadvantaged for delays in delivery.   

The automatically applied exemption on registration ended on 31 December 2023. Applications for stamp duty refunds for eligible EVs must be lodged from 1 January 2024. Applications lodged from 1 January 2024 will require proof of purchase (i.e. a contract to purchase) and deposit payment (where applicable), to indicate that the purchase or deposit payment was made prior to 1 January 2024.

On 16 September 2023, the Government announced that the stamp duty exemption for eligible electric vehicles (EVs) would cease on 31 December 2023.  

For eligible vehicles registered or transferred from 15 August 2022 to 31 December 2023, the stamp duty exemption was applied automatically by Transport for NSW. 

For eligible vehicles registered between the following sets of dates, you will need to apply to claim back the stamp duty:  

  • 1 September 2021 and 14 August 2022, and  
  • 1 January 2024 onwards (only for eligible EVs purchased, or at least where a deposit payment was made, by 31 December 2023).  

Click here to download the guidelines (PDF 131.25KB)

Click here to claim back stamp duty paid

Electric vehicle stamp duty exemption guidelines

Eligibility criteria and application process

The stamp duty exemption for EVs ended on 31 December 2023. This page contains information on the eligibility criteria and application process (where applicable), including transitional arrangements allowing applications for refunds to be made from 1 January 2024.

Eligibility criteria

Who can apply for a stamp duty exemption?

New or used light BEVs and FCEVs with a dutiable value up to and including $78,000 are exempt from stamp duty. Any NSW resident or business registering these vehicles on or after 1 September 2021 for personal or business use are exempt from stamp duty on that registration. You must have purchased the vehicle (or made a deposit payment) on or before 31 December 2023.  

Purchasers of eligible vehicles who registered between 1 September 2021 and 14 August 2022 and have not yet applied for a refund are still able to do so. Similarly, for registrations made starting from 1 January 2024, stamp duty will be payable but can be claimed back through the online portal

Registrations of eligible vehicles from 15 August 2022 to 31 December 2023 had the exemption applied automatically by Transport for NSW.

What electric vehicles does it apply to?

The stamp duty exemption applies to new and used light (weighing a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonnes or less) BEVs and FCEVs with a dutiable value up to and including $78,000. BEVs and FCEVs with a dutiable value above $78,000 will continue to pay stamp duty. The vehicle must be registered on or after 1 September 2021, and purchases or deposits would need to have been made by 31 December 2023.

A BEV is a battery electric vehicle which uses only an electric motor for propulsion and runs entirely on battery power, requiring no petrol. 

A FCEV is a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle which uses only an electric motor for propulsion and is equipped with a fuel cell for converting hydrogen to electricity. 

The dutiable value of a vehicle is the total amount paid (including GST) for the vehicle, which includes delivery costs, accessories and options added to the vehicle (e.g. towbar, special wheels, paint protection etc) and any other charges or fees levied by the dealer on the purchaser.  

NSW Government charges administered by Transport for NSW, such as registration fees and vehicle weight tax, the cost of CTP insurance or the premium paid for any extended warranty insurance are not included in the dutiable value. 

The stamp duty exemption will be available for new and used light BEVs and FCEVs. This includes vehicles in the following categories:  

  • passenger vehicles 

  • sports utility vehicles 

  • light trucks/light commercial vehicles 

  • motorcycles. 

Vehicles that are not exempt from duty under this policy include:  

  • hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles 

  • heavy trucks and other types of heavy vehicles 

  • trailers and caravans. 

Examples of BEVs and FCEVs that, subject to pricing and eligibility requirements, may qualify for this exemption can be found here

 

When does the electric vehicle need to be purchased and registered to be eligible?

Stamp duty is ordinarily payable on the registration of a vehicle if the vehicle has not previously been registered, or a previously registered vehicle is being registered to a different person. This dutiable event must be on or after 1 September 2021 to be eligible for an exemption.  

When applying for a duty refund you must show proof of purchase of an eligible vehicle. Vehicles need to have been purchased, or at least had a deposit placed on them, by 31 December 2023 to be eligible (the exemption is removed for new contracts entered into from 1 January 2024). Vehicles purchased on or before 31 December 2023 and registered from 1 September 2021 are eligible for an exemption.

Do you still need to pay stamp duty when registering an eligible electric vehicle?

Stamp duty was payable when registering or transferring an eligible vehicle from 1 September 2021 to 14 August 2022. For these registrations, a stamp duty refund can be claimed through the NSW Government online application portal from 1 November 2021.

Similarly, for registrations made from 1 January 2024 stamp duty will be payable but can be claimed back through the online portal (purchases or deposits would need to have been made by 31 December 2023).

For eligible vehicles registered from 15 August 2022 to 31 December 2023, the stamp duty exemption has been automatically applied.

 

Application process

When and how can a stamp duty exemption or refund be applied for? 

For eligible vehicle registrations or transfers between the following sets of dates, a stamp duty refund can be applied for from 1 November 2021 on the NSW Government online application portal:

  • 1 September 2021 to 14 August 2022, and 

  • 1 January 2024 onwards (purchases or deposits would need to have been made by 31 December 2023). 

From 15 August 2022 to 31 December 2023, the stamp duty exemption was automated, and you would not need to pay stamp duty and claim a refund.

What information do you need to apply for a stamp duty exemption?

Evidence required during the application process includes:

  • Current and valid NSW Driver Licence (for individual or business contact person, which matches the registration details)
  • Certificate of Registration (which shows a registration number, registration history, registered owner, vehicle use, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a duty paid amount)
  • Contract to purchase the eligible vehicle indicating the sale price and deposit payment (where applicable). If the purchase was not completed by 31 December 2023, a deposit would be required prior to 1 January 2024.
  • Deposit receipt (where applicable), dated on or before 31 December 2023.
  • Tax invoice if it is an interstate purchase or purchase from Tesla, Polestar and Vyro.
When will a stamp duty exemption be refunded?

Within 15 business days from the submission of a complete application, Revenue NSW will review the information provided and will notify applicants if they have been successful.  

If the stamp duty exemption is granted, Revenue NSW will proceed to transfer the stamp duty refund to the bank account nominated by the customer within 5 business days of notification of successful application.  

Do you need to apply separately for a rebate and a stamp duty refund?

Separate applications for a rebate and a stamp duty refund for eligible vehicle purchases are required, however both applications will be available through a single online portal.

What personal details are required to apply for a stamp duty exemption?

If you are applying as an individual, you will be required to provide: 

  • Transport for NSW Customer Number  

  • Copy of your NSW Driver Licence 

  • Copy of your Certificate of Registration 

  • Name 

  • Date of birth 

  • Mailing address 

  • Email  

  • Phone number. 

If you are applying as a business, you will be required to provide: 

  • Transport for NSW Customer Number 

  • Copy of the business contact person’s NSW Driver Licence 

  • Copy of the Certificate of Registration 

  • Company or business name 

  • ABN, ACN or ABRN  

  • Contact person name 

  • Contact mailing address 

  • Contact email

  • Contact phone number.

What vehicle details are required to apply for a stamp duty exemption?

The following vehicle details are required for a stamp duty exemption application: 

  • Date of registration 

  • Sale price and market value 

  • Duty amount paid 

  • Registration plate number of vehicle 

  • Vehicle make 

  • Vehicle model 

  • VIN.

For help with Stamp Duty Refund Applications, please contact the Revenue NSW Electric Vehicle team: 

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