Buyer's Stamp Duty tiers, ABSD by buyer profile, married-couple remission and refund rules, and when duty falls due.
Two duties, not one
Buyer's Stamp Duty applies to every buyer on every residential purchase. Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty applies on top, at a rate set by the buyer's profile and the number of residential properties already held.
Both are computed on the purchase price or the market value, whichever is higher, and both fall due within 14 days of the document being executed.
The BSD scale
BSD runs across six progressive tiers on residential property: 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, and 6% on anything above $3,000,000. The scale has applied since 15 February 2023.
ABSD by profile
A Singapore Citizen pays no ABSD on a first residential property, 20% on a second and 30% on a third or subsequent. A Permanent Resident pays 5%, 30% and 35% respectively. A foreigner pays 60% on any residential purchase, and an entity or trust 65%.
Nationals of countries with a relevant Free Trade Agreement may be accorded the same treatment as Singapore Citizens.
Remission and refund for married couples
A married couple with at least one Singapore Citizen spouse may claim full ABSD remission on a joint purchase where neither party owns residential property.
Where a first home is retained, a refund may be claimed on the second property if the first is sold within six months of the purchase, or within six months of the Temporary Occupation Permit where the new property is under construction. The timelines are firm and the conditions strict.
Why sequencing matters
Selling before exercising an option restores both the 0% ABSD tier and the 75% Loan-to-Value limit at once, which is why upgraders plan the order of transactions carefully rather than treating them as independent.
The stamp duty calculator computes both duties for a given price and profile, and the stamp duty guide sets out the position for Impressions at Dairy Farm. Confirm the final position with IRAS or a conveyancing lawyer before committing.