The majority of taxpayers pay stamp duty on time. You will incur penalties and face enforcement actions if the stamp duty is not paid on time.
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You are required to stamp a document before you sign it. However, if you have signed a document and have stamped it (together with payment of the duty) within the following time frame, no penalty will be charged: 

Within 14 days after signing the document if it is signed* in Singapore or

Within 30 days after receiving the document in Singapore if the document is signed* overseas

*Generally refers to the date the document is first signed. Please note that for trust instrument, it is considered executed only when it is signed, sealed and delivered.

Consequences for late payment or non-payment of Stamp Duty

IRAS may take the following actions if you fail to pay by the due date:

  1. Impose penalties
  2. Appoint agents like your bank, employer, tenant or lawyer (handling the sale of any of your property) to recover the overdue duty
  3. Issue a Travel Restriction Order (TRO) to stop you from leaving Singapore 
  4. Take legal action

The above list is not exhaustive.

You are required to pay the stamp duty by the payment due date even if you have filed an objection and are awaiting the outcome. If the assessment is subsequently revised, any excess payment will be refunded. 

Penalty

Delay in payment not exceeding 3 months

A penalty of $10 or an amount equal to the duty payable, whichever is greater, will be imposed for late payments not exceeding 3 months.

Delay in payment exceeding 3 months

A penalty of $25 or 4 times of the duty payable, whichever is greater, will be imposed for late payments exceeding 3 months.

Taxpayers who received a penalty notice should pay the stamp duty and the penalty by the due date stated in the notice to avoid imposition of futher penalties.
IRAS’ Voluntary Disclosure Programme

The penalty applicable for late payment or underpayment may be reduced if the matter is voluntarily disclosed to IRAS. The reduced penalty is 5% of the late payment or underpayment for each year of the non-compliance calculated on a daily basis. The reduced penalty only applies for voluntary disclosures which qualify under IRAS’ Voluntary Disclosure Programme (PDF, 477KB).

Appointment of agents

If the duty remains unpaid, IRAS may appoint agents like your bank, employer, tenant, lawyer or other 3rd parties with money due to you to recover the duty owing.

When your bank is appointed as agent, you will experience inconvenience in using your bank accounts (e.g. being unable to access your bank account) until you have fully paid your stamp duty. 

Requests for release of your banks from the agent appointment made after 12pm on weekdays will only be processed on the next working day. Please note that requests cannot be processed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

Agents will be released from the appointment only after the stamp duty and penalties have been paid in full.

Travel restrictions

If a Travel Restriction Order (TRO) is issued, you cannot leave Singapore until you have paid the stamp duty and penalties in full.

A Notification for Release of TRO will be mailed to you within 10 days after your payment has been received. This will facilitate your travel at the immigration checkpoints when departing Singapore.

For non-NRIC holders, please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid pass to remain in Singapore.If you require more time to resolve your stamp duty matters with IRAS please contact the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to extend your stay. Overstaying in Singapore is an offence.

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