Stamp Duty

Buyer’s Stamp Duty

BSD is computed based on the purchase price or market value of the property, whichever is higher.

Prior to 20 Feb 2018, the BSD rate was up to 3%. With effect from 20 Feb 2018, there are differentiated BSD rates between residential and non-residential properties. The BSD rate for acquisition of residential properties from 20 Feb 2018 to 14 Feb 2023 is up to 4%. From 15 Feb 2023, the top marginal rate for residential properties is 6%, and the top marginal rate for non-residential properties is 5%.

For definition of residential or non-residential properties, please refer to Definition of residential property.

The BSD rates are as follows:

Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty

ABSD is computed based on the purchase price or market value of the residential property, whichever is higher.

From 9 May 2022 onwards, any transfer of residential property into a living trust will be subject to an ABSD rate that is the same as entities. 

ABSD is to be rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a minimum duty of $1.

 _{¹  Whether owned wholly, partially or jointly with others.}

 _{² An Entity means a person who is not an individual. It includes the following:}

• _{An unincorporated association,}
• _{A trustee for a collective investment scheme when acting in that capacity,}
• _{A trustee-manager for a business trust when acting in that capacity}
• _{The partners of the partnership whether or not any of them is an individual, where the property conveyed, transferred or assigned is to be held as partnership property.}

_{³ Housing Developers refer to entities in the business of housing development (i.e., construction and sale of housing units) with respect to the subject property acquired. These include trustees for housing developers, which will continue to be subject to the same ABSD rate as Housing Developers.}

_{⁴ As entities, Housing Developers will also be subject to the ABSD rate for entities as follows:}

• _{For the period on or after 16 Dec 2021, Housing Developers will be subject to the ABSD rate of 35%.}

_{Housing Developers may apply for remission of 35% ABSD, subject to conditions.} 

_{⁵ This 5% ABSD for Housing Developers is in addition to the 35% (on or after 16 Dec 2021) ABSD. This 5% will not be remitted, and is to be paid upfront upon purchase of residential property.} 

_{⁶ Trustee refers to a trustee of any trust when acting in that capacity, but excludes the following:} 

• _{Trustee for a collective investment scheme when acting in that capacity;}
• _{Trustee-manager for a business trust when acting in that capacity; and}
• _{Trustee for a housing developer when acting in that capacity.}

Seller’s Stamp Duty for residential properties

SSD is computed by applying the requisite SSD rate on the higher of the selling price or the market value of the residential property as at the date of sale or disposal.

Where parts of the residential property were acquired by the vendor at different times, the holding period for each part acquired will be computed from the respective acquisition date.

Where the sale or disposal comprises only a partial interest in the residential property, SSD payable will be based on the higher of the selling price or market value of the partial interest.

The rates of SSD payable on residential property acquired on and after 20 Feb 2010 and disposed of within certain duration, are summarized in the table below:

SSD is rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a minimum duty of $1.

Seller’s Stamp Duty for industrial properties

SSD is computed by applying the requisite SSD rate on the higher of the selling price or the market value of the industrial property as at the date of sale or disposal.

Where parts of the industrial property were acquired by the vendor at different times, the holding period for each part acquired will be computed from the respective acquisition date.

Where the sale or disposal comprises only a partial interest in the industrial property, SSD payable will be based on the higher of the selling price or market value of the partial interest.

The rates of SSD payable on industrial property acquired on and after 12 Jan 2013 and disposed of within certain duration, are summarized in the table below:

SSD is rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a minimum duty of $1.

Lease Duty

Lease duty is computed based on the contractual rental or the market rental, whichever is higher.

Lease duty is rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a minimum duty of $1.

¹AAR refers to the higher of the average annual contractual or annualised market rent and includes other considerations such as payments for:

• Advertising and Promotion charge
• Furniture / Fittings charge
• Maintenance charge
• Service charge
• Any other charges, excluding GST charges

Mortgage Duty

Mortgage duty is rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a minimum duty of $1.

Share Duty

Share duty is computed based on the purchase price or the market value of the shares transferred, whichever is higher.

Share duty is rounded down to the nearest dollar, subject to a minimum duty of $1.

Additional Conveyance Duty

Additional Conveyance Duties for Buyers (ACDB) 

ACDB will apply on qualifying acquisitions of equity interests in the PHE (“Target”) based on the market value of the underlying residential property. This is in addition to existing stamp duty on shares.

 ^Z% is: -

• 15% if the instrument is executed on or after 11 Mar 2017 but before 6 Jul 2018; or
• 30% if the instrument is executed on or after 6 Jul 2018 but before 16 Dec 2021; or
• 40% if the instrument is executed on or after 16 Dec 2021 but before 27 Apr 2023; or
• 65% if the instrument is executed on or after 27 Apr 2023.

Additional Conveyance Duties for Sellers (ACDS) 

ACDS will apply on qualifying disposal of equity interests in the PHE (“Target”) based on the market value of the underlying residential property.

Note: The above table is a simplified version. For the full version and the terms used, please refer to Stamp Duty: Additional Conveyance Duties (ACD) On Residential Property-Holding Entities (PDF, 841KB).