Avoid Overpaying on Stamp Duty: Why You Need a Professional Transfer Duty Valuation
Transferring property to a family member or trust? If you’re relying on free or informal valuations, you could be overpaying thousands in stamp duty.
When it comes to transfer duty (stamp duty) valuations, getting it wrong can cost you more than you think. While the State Revenue Office (SRO) permits the use of real estate agent appraisals for some residential transfers, these valuations are often inaccurate, inflated, and not legally defensible.
Why Free Property Valuations Can Be Expensive
Many real estate agents provide estimates based on automated data from property listing websites. These are often:
- Inflated to attract future listings
- Not tailored to the specific legal structure of your transaction
- Not compliant with SRO reporting requirements
In related party transfers, these inflated valuations can cause the government to assess duty at a higher value than necessary — and you end up footing the bill.
What Is a Transfer Duty Valuation?
A transfer duty valuation (also called a stamp duty valuation) is an independent assessment of your property’s market value, required when a property is transferred without a market sale — such as transfers between family members or into a trust or superannuation fund.
A qualified independent property valuer uses comparable sales data, zoning details, and property-specific analysis to deliver a valuation that complies with the SRO’s standards and ensures fair, accurate duty assessment.
When Do You Need a Stamp Duty Valuation?
You must obtain a professional valuation for stamp duty purposes when:
- Transferring property between related parties (e.g. parent to child)
- Transferring property into a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF)
- Transferring property into a family trust or company
- Undertaking estate planning or restructuring ownership
These are non-market transactions, so the SRO requires a substantiated market value to determine duty.
Benefits of Using a Certified Valuer
Engaging an experienced, accredited valuer means you get:
- Compliant and legally defensible valuation reports
- Unbiased assessments (unlike agent appraisals)
- Potential savings on overpaid duty
- Full alignment with SRO and ATO guidelines
Don’t Overpay Stamp Duty — Get It Right with a Professional Valuation
At Land & Building Valuations, we specialise in accurate, compliant transfer duty valuations for all types of related-party property transfers. Avoid relying on inflated real estate agent estimates and protect your financial position with a valuation that’s tailored, defendable, and transparent.
Get in touch today for expert advice on your stamp duty valuation needs.