- Buyer's stamp duty (BSD) applies to every purchase, on the price or market value, whichever is higher.
- Additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD) applies to residential property and depends on who is buying.
- Seller's stamp duty (SSD) applies to residential property sold within four years of a purchase made on or after 4 July 2025.
- Duty is generally payable within 14 days of signing the contract.
A note on rates
Stamp duty rates are set by the government and have changed several times in recent years. The figures below are as at October 2026, taken from published law firm guides and checked against IRAS's published rates. Before buying or selling, check the current rates with IRAS or your lawyer.
Buyer's stamp duty
Every buyer pays buyer's stamp duty, whether a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, foreigner or company. It is calculated on the purchase price or the market value, whichever is higher, using rising rates on successive slices of the price. As at October 2026, the rates for residential property are:
- 1% on the first $180,000.
- 2% on the next $180,000.
- 3% on the next $640,000.
- 4% on the next $500,000.
- 5% on the next $1,500,000.
- 6% on the amount above $3,000,000.
Additional buyer's stamp duty
Additional buyer's stamp duty is payable on residential property only, on top of buyer's stamp duty. The rate depends on the buyer's profile. As at October 2026 (rates in force since 27 April 2023):
- Singapore citizens: none on a first home, 20% on a second and 30% on a third or subsequent home.
- Permanent residents: 5% on a first home, 30% on a second and 35% on a third or subsequent home.
- Foreigners: 60% on any residential purchase.
- Entities such as companies: 65%.
Where joint buyers have different profiles, the higher applicable rate is generally used. Whether any relief applies depends on your circumstances, so take advice before you buy.
Seller's stamp duty
Seller's stamp duty is paid by the seller of residential property sold within a set holding period after it was bought. For residential property bought on or after 4 July 2025, the holding period is four years and the rates are:
- 16% if sold within one year.
- 12% if sold after one year and up to two years.
- 8% if sold after two years and up to three years.
- 4% if sold after three years and up to four years.
- No seller's stamp duty after four years.
Property bought between 11 March 2017 and 3 July 2025 follows the earlier scale, with a three-year holding period and rates of 12%, 8% and 4%. Seller's stamp duty also applies to some industrial property on a separate scale; commercial property is not subject to it.
When duty must be paid
Stamp duty is generally due within 14 days of signing the contract in Singapore, or 30 days after receiving it if it was signed overseas. Your conveyancing lawyer usually arranges the stamping and payment.
Stamp duty can be a large cost, especially where additional buyer's stamp duty applies or a sale and purchase overlap. A lawyer can work through the figures for your transaction before you commit.
This article is general information on Singapore law and is not legal advice. Rules and agency policies change, and every situation is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
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