What is Stamp Duty?
How much tax you’ll pay depends on:
-
Which part of the UK you’re buying in
-
Whether you’re a first-time buyer
-
Whether you’re buying additional properties
-
The value of the property
Buying in Scotland or Wales?
The Scottish and Welsh equivalents of SDLT are:
When do you have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax?
Stamp Duty Land Tax is typically charged on any transaction that involves an exchange of property. For example, when you buy:
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A freehold property
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A new, or existing leasehold property
-
A share of a property through a shared ownership scheme
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Any commercial property
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A buy-to-let property
If the property is under a certain price (threshold), there is no SDLT to pay. You may also be entitled to a discount (tax relief), if you’re a first-time buyer, for example.
If you’re buying a property in England or Northern Ireland, you have 14 days from completion, to pay your Stamp Duty Land Tax bill through HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). In Scotland and Wales, you’ll have 30 days to make the equivalent payment.
If you have a solicitor or licensed conveyancer, they’ll usually collect the money from you in advance and file a return for you. However, you’re still responsible for making sure it’s paid on time and will be charged a penalty if it isn’t.
How much is Stamp Duty Land Tax?
The total amount of SDLT you’ll pay for properties in England and Northern Ireland is cumulative.
You'll have to pay the rate of SDLT for each segment of the property’s value according to these percentages.
Changes to SDLT
In the Autumn Budget 2024, the government announced changes to SDLT. You can find the new SDLT rates below.
You can also use the on GOV.UK to work out how much SDLT you’ll need to pay.
Buying your first property
You can claim a discount (relief) if the property you buy is your first home. You’re eligible if you and anyone else you’re buying with are first-time buyers. The discount you can claim depends on when you purchase the property.
Discount from 1 April 2025
You’ll pay:
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No SDLT up to £300,000
-
5% SDLT on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000
If the property is over £500,000, you can’t claim the relief. Follow the rules for buying a new property that will be your main residence.
Buying a new property that will be your main residence
| Property price |
Percentage taxed |
|---|---|
| £0 to £125,000 | 0% |
| £125,001 to £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,001 to £925,000 | 5% |
| 925,001 to £1.5 million | 10% |
| Over £1.5 million | 12% |
| Property price |
£0 to £125,000 | £0 to £125,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage taxed |
0% |
0% |
| Property price |
£125,001 to £250,000 | £125,001 to £250,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
2% |
2% |
| Property price |
£250,001 to £925,000 | £250,001 to £925,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
5% |
5% |
| Property price |
925,001 to £1.5 million | 925,001 to £1.5 million |
| Percentage taxed |
10% |
10% |
| Property price |
Over £1.5 million | Over £1.5 million |
| Percentage taxed |
12% | 12% |
Buying additional properties
If you’re buying a second home in England or Northern Ireland, the rates for additional properties are higher.
| Property price | Percentage taxed |
|---|---|
| £0 to £125,000 | 5% |
| £125,001 to £250,000 | 7% |
| £250,001 to £925,000 | 10% |
| £925,001 to £1.5 million | 15% |
| Over £1.5 million | 17% |
| Property price | £0 to £125,000 | £0 to £125,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage taxed | 5% | 5% |
| Property price | £125,001 to £250,000 | £125,001 to £250,000 |
| Percentage taxed | 7% | 7% |
| Property price | £250,001 to £925,000 | £250,001 to £925,000 |
| Percentage taxed | 10% | 10% |
| Property price | £925,001 to £1.5 million | £925,001 to £1.5 million |
| Percentage taxed | 15% | 15% |
| Property price | Over £1.5 million | Over £1.5 million |
| Percentage taxed | 17% | 17% |
For more information, visit
How much is SDLT for non-UK residents?
If you buy a residential property in England or Northern Ireland, and you’re not a UK resident – you’ll need to pay a surcharge of 2%.
This means SDLT rates are 2% higher on properties bought by non-UK residents, compared to UK residents. The surcharge doesn’t apply to purchases of land or buildings in Scotland or Wales.
This additional 2% surcharge applies to purchases of both freehold and leasehold properties and is on top of all residential rates of SDLT, including zero rates. For example, there are no exemptions for first-time buyers or if the property is priced under the SDLT threshold.
It also increases the SDLT payable on rents on the grant of a new lease.
You can also use the on GOV.UK to work out how much SDLT you’ll need to pay.
For more information, visit
Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) – Scotland
The total amount of LBTT you’ll pay for properties in Scotland is cumulative.
Buying your first property
First-time buyers in Scotland don't pay any tax on the first £175,000 of the value of their property.
Buying a new property that will be your main residence
| Property price |
Percentage taxed |
|---|---|
| £0 to £145,000 |
0% |
| £145,001 to £250,000 |
2% |
| £250,001 to £325,000 |
5% |
| £325,001 to £750,000 |
10% |
| Over £750,001 |
12% |
| Property price |
£0 to £145,000 |
£0 to £145,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage taxed |
0% |
0% |
| Property price |
£145,001 to £250,000 |
£145,001 to £250,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
2% |
2% |
| Property price |
£250,001 to £325,000 |
£250,001 to £325,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
5% |
5% |
| Property price |
£325,001 to £750,000 |
£325,001 to £750,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
10% |
10% |
| Property price |
Over £750,001 |
Over £750,001 |
| Percentage taxed |
12% |
12% |
Buying additional properties
For second properties in Scotland, you pay an extra 6% on the total value of the property.
For more information, visit
Land Transaction Tax (LTT) – Wales
Buying your first property
There are no concessions for first-time buyers in Wales.
Buying a new property that will be your main residence
The total amount of LTT you’ll pay for properties in Wales is cumulative.
| Property price |
Percentage taxed |
|---|---|
| £0 to £225,000 |
0% |
| £225,001 to £400,000 |
6% |
| £400,001 to £750,000 |
7.5% |
| £750,001 to £1,500,000 |
10% |
| Over £1,500,001 |
12% |
| Property price |
£0 to £225,000 |
£0 to £225,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage taxed |
0% |
0% |
| Property price |
£225,001 to £400,000 |
£225,001 to £400,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
6% |
6% |
| Property price |
£400,001 to £750,000 |
£400,001 to £750,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
7.5% |
7.5% |
| Property price |
£750,001 to £1,500,000 |
£750,001 to £1,500,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
10% |
10% |
| Property price |
Over £1,500,001 |
Over £1,500,001 |
| Percentage taxed |
12% |
12% |
Buying additional properties
The rates for additional properties are slightly higher.
| Property price |
Percentage taxed |
|---|---|
| £0 to £180,000 |
4% |
| £180,001 to £250,000 |
7.5% |
| £250,001 to £400,000 |
9% |
| £400,001 to £750,000 |
11.5% |
| £750,001 to £1,500,000 |
14% |
| Over £1,500,001 |
16% |
| Property price |
£0 to £180,000 |
£0 to £180,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage taxed |
4% |
4% |
| Property price |
£180,001 to £250,000 |
£180,001 to £250,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
7.5% |
7.5% |
| Property price |
£250,001 to £400,000 |
£250,001 to £400,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
9% |
9% |
| Property price |
£400,001 to £750,000 |
£400,001 to £750,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
11.5% |
11.5% |
| Property price |
£750,001 to £1,500,000 |
£750,001 to £1,500,000 |
| Percentage taxed |
14% |
14% |
| Property price |
Over £1,500,001 |
Over £1,500,001 |
| Percentage taxed |
16% |
16% |
For more information, visit
This article was last updated: 22/04/2025, 04:08
