If you are purchasing property

If you're purchasing a property, ensure you have a written notification advising whether or not you have a withholding obligation on the property.

Withholding obligation

If you have a withholding obligation, you must:

• have a written notification from the supplier stating if the sale is subject to GST
• lodge Form one: GST property settlement withholding notification
• lodge Form two: GST property settlement date confirmation
• pay the withheld amount to us (to the nearest dollar).

You don't need to register for GST just because you have a withholding obligation.

If you're unsure or need further advice about the information in the supplier's notification, ask us or your tax professional.

You may incur penalties if you fail to lodge the forms and make the payment to us.

We won’t impose penalties when it's reasonable for you to rely on a notification from a supplier. However, if you know a supplier is registered for GST and they’re selling new residential premises not previously sold, it's unreasonable not to withhold and pay an amount to us at settlement.

Using a representative

If you authorise a representative to lodge the forms on your behalf, you're required to provide a signed declaration.

Note: Conveyancers can't provide GST advice unless they're a registered tax or BAS agent.

If you're acting as the representative for the purchaser, you must understand your obligations under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009 (TASA).

See also:

• GST at settlement – a guide for purchasers and their representatives
• GST property settlement online forms and instructions
• Property and registering for GST
• Conveyancers and GST withholding for certain taxable supplies of propertyExternal Link

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• GST at settlement