An annual property levy could replace stamp duty for NSW homebuyers under proposed tax changes in the state's 2020/21 budget, which have opened the door for national reform.
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Instead of being slugged an average $34,000 in stamp duty at the time of purchasing a property, the impost would be spread over a number of years to help more people enter the market.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet revealed the plan on Tuesday as part of the state budget and said it's an example of NSW setting a tax agenda that could have national significance, pointing to the need for talks with Canberra.
"Tax reform is challenging, it is tough, it's been talked about for a long time," he said.
"We have great unity among the states ... to work with the Commonwealth government to drive reform."
He said the federal government in the past had assisted states with asset recycling incentives, for example, to improve systems.
"For too long we have a system that states that perform get penalised and states that don't get paid and that is not a strong federal system," he said. "We need to improve it and this work will move our tax system to a much better place."
The stamp duty proposal will go to public consultation until March. The scheme could reduce outlays by about $20,000 over the first four years of home ownership and would be capped at the rate calculated at the point of purchase.
"Stamp duty is a relic from a bygone era when you picked one career, started a family, bought a home and basically settled in for life," Mr Perrottet said. "If you want to move, change jobs, or switch careers, upsize or downsize to match your family size, stamp duty can be a spanner in the works."
Buyers will still be able to choose to pay their duty upfront.
Coronavirus restrictions on real estate auctions meant revenue forecasts from transfer duties will take a $1.2 billion hit in 2020/21, but the expected $7.9 billion to be collected still represents a 14 per cent increase on last financial year.
Gambling and betting tax revenue is expected to be $2.8 billion in 2020/21, an increase of almost $50 million or 1.8 per cent. Mining royalties are forecast to fall to $1.4 billion.
"The much weaker outlook for coal royalties is due to a combination of lower than previously forecast thermal coal prices and a higher-than-anticipated Australian dollar," the budget papers said. "Improvements to the expectations for gold and copper prices and production volumes provide a minor offset."
NSW will also take its shared cut of national GST revenue, at $16.3 billion, down from $18.1 billion in 2019/20.
The Liberal-Nationals government will take a knife to payroll tax as it helps business overcome a triple-hit of drought, bushfires and COVID-19. The payroll tax rate will be cut from 5.45 per cent to 4.85 per cent for two years.
"And we will permanently raise the threshold to $1.2 million (turnover), almost double Victoria's," Mr Perrottet said.
Payroll tax remains the state's largest source of taxation revenue, growing by a forecast 0.2 per cent to $8.5 billion for 2020/21.
The tax measures received a glowing endorsement from the Business Council of Australia.
"Every premier and chief minister in the country should be watching because NSW has set the standard for building a strong business-led recovery," chief executive Jennifer Westacott said.
"The government's blueprint and tax reform agenda will help make NSW the best place in the country for businesses who want to invest, expand and create new jobs."
