Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Transaction Tax rates for England, Northern Ireland and Wales updated in September 2022. Next update expected after 31 March 2025. 
Land and Building Transaction Tax rates for Scotland updated in January 2023.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax that you may need to pay when you buy a property in England or Northern Ireland. 
 

Stamp Duty Land Tax rates 

If you’re buying a residential property, the amount of SDLT you owe will depend on the price you pay for the property and whether it is your only home or an additional property (for example a buy-to-let, a holiday home or a second home).

Under the current system in England and Northern Ireland, Stamp Duty Land Tax is tiered. This means you pay different rates on different portions of the overall purchase price.
 

First time buyers

First time buyers are allowed to spend more on their first homes before paying Stamp Duty Land Tax. If you are a first time buyer and you buy a property for less than £625,000 you will pay no SDLT on the first £425,000, and 5% on the remainder. 

The Stamp Duty Land Tax tiers are:
Infographic
If you buy a property for £350,000 for example, Stamp Duty Land Tax will be calculated like this:
 

Property price: £350,000


Portion 1
(£0-£250,000)
0% tax so SDLT = £0
 

Portion 2
(£250,000.01-£350,000)
5% tax so SDLT = £5,000
 

Total Stamp Duty Land Tax owed = £0 + £5,000 = £5,000


Use our calculator to see how much Stamp Duty Land Tax you'll need to pay.
 

Frequently asked questions

If you're buying in England or Northern Ireland, you have just 14 days to pay SDLT from the date you complete on the purchase of your property (or the date you’re due to get the keys on the contract). If you miss this date, you may have to pay a £100 fine and possibly interest.

Usually, your solicitor or conveyancer will ask you to pay the SDLT you owe to them and will then send off the SDLT return and pay the bill for you. You’re still legally responsible for making sure this is done on time though.

You don’t have to pay SDLT if:

  • The property you’re buying is under £250,000 and you’re going to move into it
  • You’re buying a second home, a holiday home or a buy-to-let for £40,000 or less
  • You’re a first-time buyer and the property you’re buying is under £425,000

No, SDLT has to be paid in one lump sum within 14 days of you completing on the purchase of your property.

No, you can no longer pay for SDLT with a personal credit card. You can pay it by cheque, by debit card or by online banking.

If you don’t have enough savings to cover SDLT as well as your deposit and buying costs, it’s possible to add the cost of the SDLT to your mortgage. If you decide to do this, please be aware that: 

  • It will increase your long-term debt.
  • You’ll be paying interest on your SDLT for the full term of your mortgage, which may amount to more than the SDLT itself.
  • It could push your loan-to-value ratio (LTV) too high. The LTV is a measure of how much of the property's value you’re borrowing, and the most competitive mortgage deals usually need a maximum LTV of 60%.

If you paid a higher rate of SDLT because you bought an additional home you may be able to claim the extra back.  You can do this if you sell your original home within three years of buying the second property. 

For properties sold on or after 29 October 2018 the refund must be claimed within 12 months of whichever comes later out of the following:

  • the sale or gift of the previous main residence or
  • the date the SDLT return was filed for the new residence

For properties sold on or before 28 October 2018 the refund must be claimed within three months of selling or gifting your previous home or within 12 months of filing your SDLT return – whichever date is later.

There may be exceptional circumstances that allow you to request money back if you sell your original home outside of the 3 year limit.

What is Land and Buildings Transaction Tax?

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is a tax that you may need to pay when you buy a property in Scotland. 
 

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax rates

If you’re buying a residential property, the amount of LBTT you owe will depend on the price you pay for the property and whether it is your only home or an additional property (for example a buy-to-let, a holiday home or a second home).

Under the current system in Scotland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax is tiered. This means you pay different rates on different portions of the overall purchase price.
 

First time buyers in Scotland

First time buyers are allowed to spend more on their first homes before paying Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.. If you are a first time buyer and you buy a property for up to £175,000 you won’t owe any LBTT.

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax rates in Scotland are as follows:

Infographic

* Properties under £40,000 are not subject to the additional Land and Buildings Transaction Rates

Figures referenced from https://www.gov.scot/policies/taxes/land-and-buildings-transaction-tax/

If you buy a property for £350,000 for example, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax will be calculated like this:
 

Property price: £350,000


Portion 1
(£0-£145,000)
0% tax so LBTT = £0
 

Portion 2
(£145,001-£250,000)
2% tax so LBTT = £2,100
 

Portion 3
(£250,001-£325,000)
5% tax so LBTT = £3,750
 

Portion 4
(£325,001-£350,000)
10% tax so LBTT = £2,500
 

Total Land and Buildings Transaction Tax owed = £0 + £2,100 + £3,750 + £2,500 = £8,350


Use our calculator to see how much Land and Buildings Transaction Tax you'll need to pay.
 

What is Land Transaction Tax?

Land Transaction Tax (LTT) is a tax that you may need to pay when you buy a property in Wales. 
 

Land Transaction Tax rates

If you’re buying a residential property, the amount of LTT you owe will depend on the price you pay for the property and whether it is your only home or an additional property (for example a buy-to-let, a holiday home or a second home).

Under the current system in Wales, Land Transaction Tax is tiered. This means you pay different rates on different portions of the overall purchase price.
 

First time buyers in Wales

First time buyers pay the same amount of Land Transaction Tax on their first homes as any buyer of a single property. If you are a first time buyer and you buy a property for up to £225,000 you won’t owe any LTT.

Land Transaction Tax rates in Wales are as follows:

Infographic

* Properties under £40,000 are not subject to the additional Land Transaction Tax rates

Figures referenced from https://gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-rates-and-bands

If you buy a property for £350,000 for example, Land Transaction Tax will be calculated like this:
 

Property price: £350,000


Portion 1
(£0-£225,000)
0% tax so LTT = £0
 

Portion 2
(£225,001-£350,000)
6% tax so LTT = £7,500
 

Total Land Transaction Tax owed = £0 + £7,500 = £7,500


Use our calculator to see how much Land Transaction Tax you'll need to pay.