Tax on buying property

If you buy a property in the UK over a certain purchase price you have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This is charged on all purchases of houses, flats and other land and buildings.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax?

SDLT replaced Stamp Duty in December 2003 and is a tax on the purchase price of land and buildings. When you buy a property or take on a lease you may have to pay SDLT.

Paying SDLT

If you buy either a freehold or a leasehold property and the purchase price is more than £125,000, you pay SDLT of between one and four per cent of the whole purchase price. See the table below for more detail.

If the purchase price is £125,000 or less you don't pay any SDLT.

The £125,000 threshold for when you start to pay SDLT was introduced again on 1 January 2010. The previous starting rate was £175,000 - for purchases made between 3 September 2008 and 31 December 2009.

First-time buyers

If you are a first-time buyer the threshold for when you start to pay SDLT is £250,000. This is only if you have never owned a house or flat in the UK or anywhere else in the world. If you are buying with someone else they must never have owned property before either. This higher threshold applies to purchases made on or after 25 March 2010 and before 25 March 2012.

Stamp Duty Calculator

If you are currently looking to purchase a new property you will have to pay Stamp Duty (House Purchase Tax). This is calculated from your full purchase price.
Please note that you do not currently pay stamp duty on properties up to £125000

The calculator below will work out your Stamp Duty for you.

Property Value: £ Is the property in a disadvantaged area? (If unsure, check yourpostcode here) no yes Stamp Duty Payable: £