Short answer
You may need a retrospective valuation where market value has to be assessed as at a past date rather than today’s date.
Retrospective valuations are common in Capital Gains Tax, deceased estate, Family Law, stamp duty, historical asset reporting and other matters where the relevant valuation date has already passed.
What is a retrospective valuation?
A retrospective valuation is a valuation prepared now, but assessed as at an earlier date. The valuer considers the property, market conditions and evidence relevant to that historical date.
It is not a current valuation with an old date typed into the report. The sales evidence, market conditions and property circumstances need to be considered in the correct historical context.
When it may be relevant
A retrospective valuation may be requested where an accountant, solicitor, executor, adviser, revenue authority or party to a dispute needs market value evidence at a past date.
Common examples include a date of death for a deceased estate, a historical CGT date, a past transfer date, a Family Law date confirmed by the parties or solicitors, or a date before substantial works were completed.
Information that can help
Useful information may include historical photographs, old sale listings, settlement documents, rates notices, lease records, renovation dates, building records, prior reports and any adviser instructions confirming the required date.
Where the property has changed since the retrospective date, evidence of historical condition can be important.
Who decides the date?
The valuer does not usually decide the legal or taxation date required. The date should be confirmed by the relevant solicitor, accountant, executor, adviser or instruction before the valuation is prepared.
If the date is wrong, the report may not answer the valuation question required.
Before you enquire
Before making an enquiry, identify the property address, the purpose of the report, the required historical date if known, and the records available. If the date is needed for a legal or tax matter, ask the relevant adviser to confirm it. Northbourne Valuers can then discuss the proposed valuation scope.
For an adviser-identified CGT transition issue, see the 2027 CGT valuation guide for a possible example of a report prepared after the relevant date.
What if I do not know the valuation date?
Ask the relevant accountant, solicitor or other adviser to confirm any legal or tax date. You can still enquire about the information and scope needed, but the valuer should not guess the required date.
Discuss your valuation instruction
If you need market value assessed as at a past date, send Northbourne Valuers the property address, purpose, required date if known, and a brief description of the historical records available. We can explain the proposed scope and information needed for properties in Canberra, the ACT and surrounding NSW. The appropriate legal or tax adviser should confirm any legally required date.
Read about Northbourne Valuers’ valuation services
Related glossary
Retrospective valuation; Date of valuation; Market value; Historical evidence; Scope of work; Assumption.
Related articles
- What is a retrospective CGT valuation?
- What is a retrospective deceased estate valuation?
- What valuation date is used in Family Law?
- Can a valuation be updated after it is completed?
- Inspection date versus valuation date
- The valuation process
Related services
Prepared by:
Tigran Amiyants, Certified Practising Valuer (CPV), Managing Director, Northbourne Valuers.
Last reviewed:
12 September 2026.
General information note:
This page provides general information only and does not constitute valuation, legal, taxation or financial advice. Every valuation depends on the specific property, purpose, valuation date, evidence, assumptions and instructions. Legal, taxation and financial matters should be discussed with the appropriate qualified adviser.