Surcharge Purchaser Duty and Surcharge Land Tax are aimed at collecting money from foreign investors who do not ordinarily reside in Australia and, as a result, are heavily taxed by Revenue NSW. Purchaser Surcharge Duty imposes an 8% duty on foreign purchasers of residential property in Australia. The reasons for this are wide and debatable and vary from state to state but there may be ways to avoid it. Surcharge land tax is imposed on a yearly basis on foreign owned residential property, unless the exemptions apply. We can assist with planning and structuring your affairs to reduce your exposure to this unnecessary tax.