Duo Tax Quantity Surveyors

Duo Tax, property valuation and quantity surveying in Australia

Duo Tax Quantity Surveyors is an Australian firm specialising in property valuation and quantity surveying aimed at property tax optimisation. The company presents itself as the country's largest provider of property valuations and tax depreciation, with a national presence and a stated portfolio of more than 170,000 property investors served. Its activity is structured around three main areas: property valuations, tax depreciation reports and construction cost estimates.

Property valuations

The valuation service covers both residential properties — houses, apartments and townhouses — and commercial properties, including offices, retail premises, warehouses and industrial facilities. Among the types of report it offers are Capital Gains Tax valuation, cost base valuation for the 1 July 2027 transition point, market assessment valuation, retrospective valuation, stamp duty valuation, pre-purchase or pre-sale valuation and self-managed super fund (SMSF) valuation, the latter aligned with Australian Taxation Office (ATO) standards. The firm presents itself as comprising certified and independent valuers.

Tax depreciation

The tax depreciation report is Duo Tax's core product. It is a document that helps identify potential tax deductions arising from the natural wear and tear of rental properties. The report includes a forecast of deductions for up to 40 years, covering both Division 40 (plant and equipment) and Division 43 (capital works), and presents both depreciation methods — prime cost and diminishing value — in a single document so the accountant can choose the most suitable strategy. It is delivered as a ready-to-use PDF, with Excel or CSV available, and incorporates pro-rata calculations for part-year ownership and residual values of removed items for the accountant's review. The company also offers a specific capital improvements report, the Duo Tax Improvement Report™, and a scrapping report to identify potential deductions when renovating or rebuilding a rental property.

Construction cost estimates

In the construction field, Duo Tax prepares estimated development cost (EDC) or council cost reports, preliminary cost reports, bills of quantities, initial cost reports, progress claim construction reports to determine funds yet to be released by the bank, insurance replacement valuations and elemental cost plans.

Methodology and client profiles

The firm states that its reports are prepared by qualified quantity surveyors and certified valuers, with combined experience of more than 130 years. The engagement process is described in three steps: qualifying the property through a brief consultation, ordering the report by phone or web form, and delivery of the complete report to the client and their accountant within an average of five business days. Duo Tax works with accountants, mortgage brokers, buyer's agents, property managers and property developers, and maintains a partner programme with specific access for these professionals. Its principals are affiliate members of the Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and the firm declares itself compliant with ATO requirements.

Resources and calculators

The website provides users with a set of calculators focused on property investment: capital gains tax (CGT), rental property depreciation, stamp duty, replacement cost, negative gearing, construction cost, scrap value and rental yield. It also publishes insights, news, case studies, frequently asked questions and videos, as well as a glossary and a downloadable sample report.