The purpose of a nominal purchase is not to have free use of the purchased item, but rather to transfer it to another party.

In reality, the designated buyer is the nominal owner of the goods, at least temporarily, and the transaction itself is done through a third party in accordance with the existing requirement. The term nominal purchase has come to mean almost everyone refers to purchases that were directed by parents in childhood, even though often we refer to more serious purchases. It is because the end-user is unable or unwilling to perform such an operation on his or her own that he or she needs to make a nominal purchase.

A nominal purchase refers to a transaction involving a minimal or symbolic amount of money, often used to fulfill legal or contractual requirements rather than for actual commercial value. Unlike standard purchases, where price reflects market value, nominal purchases are made for token amounts (e.g., $1) to formalise ownership transfers, agreements, or legal obligations. Common examples include transferring property between family members, settling debts, or executing contracts where payment is required but not substantial. Nominal purchases ensure legal validity while avoiding significant financial exchange. They are frequently used in business mergers, asset transfers, or charity donations to maintain formalities. However, tax authorities may scrutinise such transactions to ensure they are not disguising true value for evasion purposes.