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Refunds

We can refund any motor vehicle duty you’ve already paid in certain circumstances.

Certain circumstances we can refund motor vehicle duty:

  • you return the vehicle to the dealer within three months of buying it because the vehicle was faulty or finance was refused
  • the sale didn’t go ahead and you didn’t take possession of the vehicle
  • the vehicle was last registered in the same name and you’ve already paid duty on it
  • the vehicle was used as a demonstrator and has been issued an exemption authority
  • the person or organisation in whose name the vehicle is registered is exempt from duty (eg a charity).
  • the vehicle was stolen before you bought it and has been repossessed or impounded by the police, so long as you apply within five years of the vehicle being registered
  • the vehicle was purchased by a war veteran who meets the criteria under section 267(7A) of the Duties Act 1997 or another exemption applies.

How to request a refund

To request a refund from Revenue NSW, download and complete a Request for refund of duty on an application to register a motor vehicle PDF, 601.8 KB.

  • You generally need to apply for a refund within 5 years of buying your motor vehicle.
  • You must provide the original certificate of registration showing duty was paid together with evidence to support your claim for refund.

For example, if you returned a vehicle to a dealer within 3 months of purchasing the vehicle, to request a refund you would need to provide:

  • a letter from the dealer as to why the vehicle was returned (if relevant) and
  • the original certificate of registration showing the duty was paid and
  • request for refund of duty on an application to register a motor vehicle form.