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Staff Reporter
NSW premier Barry O’Farrell has started to deliver on his pre-election promises, axing the Torrens assurance levy and extending the ‘empty nester’ concession.
Last year, the Keneally Government introduced a special two-year stamp duty exemption for over 65s to enable them to 'down size' and to encourage new home construction.
Under the O’Farrell government, this exemption will extend to people over 55 for sales between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012.
The exemption applies to a new home purchase, or an off-the-plan purchase, if made in connection with residence relocation by an eligible senior.
If there is more than one purchaser then each of them must be an eligible senior. No other purchasers are permitted and the exemption and can only be accessed once.
In addition, the O'Farrell government has confirmed it will abolish the Torrens assurance levy.
According to a Gadens report, the levy is currently imposed at the rate of 0.2 per cent on property transfers valued between $500,000 and $1 million and at 0.25 per cent on property transfers valued above $1 million.
However, the levy is set to be abolished come 1 July 2011. As such, new buyers may benefit from deferring completion of their purchase contracts until 1 July 2011.
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