Conveyance duty phase-out
Under the ACT's 20-year tax reform programme, conveyance (stamp) duty rates step down each year. The reform is partway through: owner-occupiers pay reduced rates, with full abolition the long-term target. The shortfall is funded by progressively increasing general rates billed annually.
Land Rent Scheme
Eligible households can lease (rather than purchase) Crown leasehold land and pay an annual land rent — a percentage of unimproved value — administered under the Land Rent Act 2008 (ACT). Unique to the ACT.
General rates as land-tax equivalent
The ACT does not bill a separate 'land tax' on owner-occupied property in the same form as the states. Annual general rates (Rates Act 2004) carry the recurrent property-tax function. A separate land tax does apply to rental properties.
Foreign owner surcharges
The ACT applies a foreign ownership surcharge on residential land owned by foreign persons. Verify current rate scope with the ACT Revenue Office at the time of transaction or assessment.
Payroll tax
Threshold $2m — the highest of any Australian jurisdiction — at a rate of 6.85%. Group employers must aggregate grouped Australian wages.