All Topics / Legal & Accounting / Back to back settlement?
Hi Folks,
I’m new to this forum, and wondering if anyone know’s whether back-toback settlements are legal and done in Asutralia.
I’m aware of them being quite popular in the USA but haven’t heard of it being done here.
The theory is to purchase a property on a long settlement (3-9 months), then find a new buyer and have the new buyer go to settlement. I’m then looking to make my gain via disbursement of funds at the end. Theoretically I shouldn’t pay stamp duty because I didn’t actually take title? Would I be liable for CGT?
Cheers
Rick
Richard, these are legal and done all the time in Australia. Unfortunately you will be up for stamp duty as you are buying and onselling. You would also be up for CGT.
Terryw
Discover Home Loans
North Sydney
[email protected]Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
This sounds very similar to flips?
Cheers,
sisYes, SIS. Although a flip could theoretically involve you settling on it and then onselling.
With onselling prior to settlement, it is wise to double check that your buyer will be settling, or else you will need to be able to settle on your purchase.
Cheers
MelThanks guys,
Great to hear that’s it’s done and legal. Why would I have to pay stamp duty? Isn’t stamp duty only payable when the title is transfered in the stamp duties office? I won’t be transferring title to my name….
Thanks again.
Cheers
Richard
Title will be technically transfered to you, then the new purchser immediately.
Terryw
Discover Home Loans
North Sydney
[email protected]Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
Richard, the reason it’s a ‘back to back’ settlement, is that title is transferred to you (the first ‘back’) and then immediately transferred to your buyer (the second ‘back’).
Although when you sit and think about it, it can’t work. Before you can sell it, you must own it, and you don’t have the money to own it until you get it from the buyer. So ‘technically’ you couldn’t really own it – or you are borrowing from your buyer (which their bank wouldn’t allow) or the seller is letting you short settle – ie, pay them the money ‘at a later date’ which happens to really be about 5 minutes time.
Cheers
MelIt is normally referred to as a Transfer by Direction and is certainly common in the development field.
Also you certainly can sell something that you don’t own. It is referred to an Option.
Cheers Richard
Ph: 07 3720 1888
[email protected]
http://www.yourstatefinance.comSpecialising in US & IP finance.
Richard Taylor | Australia's leading private lender
Rick
You can write up on your contract when purchaseing your name (or who evers name your buying) then add and/or nomanie . This allows you at any time during the settlement period to change the name on the contract.
How ever the new persons name will take over the contract at that price , so you will have to organize your extra dollars around the contract the new owner will know the price you paid for the property.Kind regards Rick
Buying Propertys in the USA email me to learn more.
[email protected]bear in mind that a put/call option attracts immediate stamp duty for the full sale value, so you would have to find someone willing to give you a call option for 12 months or so. why they would do that I don’t know but it’s a big fishpond out there.
Rick I think that nominee loophole was closed in most states some time ago. the logic being hat you can’t nominate someone you don’t know yet. in hindsight it always seems easier to make money in the past hey?!
CGT – I don’t think this is a passive style income and would expect it to attract full marginal tax. check it out anyway.
http://www.megapropertygroup.comINVESTMENT SALES * RENTAL SOLUTIONS * STRATA MANAGEMENT
Ausprop
There is no stamp duty on a Call Option in Qld.
The ‘and or nominee’ clause was closed a couple of years ago but you can still use an assignment letter which attracts no stamp duty and enables you to assign the property prior to settlement to a 3rd party.
Cheers Richard
Ph: 07 3720 1888
[email protected]
http://www.yourstatefinance.comSpecialising in US & IP finance.
Richard Taylor | Australia's leading private lender
Just a question – if you are doing a few of these “simultaneous” settlements a year, do the CG tax liabilities change – because you are doing more it would be classed as a business therefore taxed at a lower rate??
thanks in advance
would be income tax rather than CGT. no discount.
Terryw | Structuring Lawyers Pty Ltd / Loan Structuring Pty Ltd
http://www.Structuring.com.au
Email MeLawyer, Mortgage Broker and Tax Advisor (Sydney based but advising Aust wide) http://www.Structuring.com.au
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