How is Buyer's Stamp Duty calculated?
Buyer's Stamp Duty is charged on the higher of your property's purchase price or market value, using progressive bands. For residential property, you pay 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% above $3,000,000. The amount is rounded down to the nearest dollar.
The full rules
How Buyer's Stamp Duty works
BSD applies when you buy or acquire property. It is calculated on the higher of the purchase price or market value, using progressive rates — each band is taxed at its own rate.
Residential property rates (from 15 February 2023)
| Portion of price/value | Rate |
| First $180,000 | 1% |
| Next $180,000 (up to $360,000) | 2% |
| Next $640,000 (up to $1,000,000) | 3% |
| Next $500,000 (up to $1,500,000) | 4% |
| Next $1,500,000 (up to $3,000,000) | 5% |
| Amount above $3,000,000 | 6% |
The final BSD figure is rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Worked example
Worked example: property at $4,500,100
| Band | Amount in band | Rate | BSD |
| First $180,000 | $180,000 | 1% | $1,800 |
| Next $180,000 | $180,000 | 2% | $3,600 |
| Next $640,000 | $640,000 | 3% | $19,200 |
| Next $500,000 | $500,000 | 4% | $20,000 |
| Next $1,500,000 | $1,500,000 | 5% | $75,000 |
| Above $3,000,000 | $1,500,100 | 6% | $90,006 |
| Total | $209,606 |
The total is rounded down to the nearest dollar, giving $209,606.
What this means for you
Buying an $800,000 flat
You pay 1% on the first $180,000, 2% on the next $180,000, and 3% on the remaining $440,000 — totalling $18,600.
Buying a $1.2 million property
The first $1,000,000 is taxed in the lower bands, and the portion from $1,000,000 to $1,200,000 is taxed at 4%. Your BSD comes to $32,600.
Buying above $3 million
Every dollar above $3,000,000 is taxed at the top rate of 6%, so higher-value purchases carry a noticeably larger bill.
Related questions
Is BSD based on the price I pay or the valuation?
It is calculated on whichever is higher — the purchase price or the market value of the property.
Are the rates the same across the whole price?
No. The rates are progressive, so each portion of the price falls into its own band and is taxed at that band's rate.
How is the final amount rounded?
The calculated BSD is rounded down to the nearest dollar.
When did these rates take effect?
The current residential rates apply from 15 February 2023.
Who can confirm my exact BSD?
You can confirm the figure and payment process directly with IRAS, which administers stamp duty.
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Sources: IRAS — Buyer's Stamp Duty · Last verified 2026-10-19