Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax you pay when buying property or land in England and Northern Ireland. The amount depends on the purchase price, whether it's your first home, and whether you already own other properties. Scotland and Wales have their own versions called LBTT and LTT respectively.

It depends on the purchase price and your circumstances. Use our calculator above to get an exact figure. As a guide, first-time buyers pay nothing on properties up to £425,000. Standard buyers pay nothing on the first £250,000, then 5% on the portion from £250,001 to £925,000, and higher rates above that. Additional property purchases add a 3% surcharge to each band.

First-time buyers pay no stamp duty on properties up to £425,000. For properties between £425,001 and £625,000, you pay 5% only on the portion above £425,000. If the property costs more than £625,000, you lose first-time buyer relief entirely and pay standard rates on the full amount.

If you're buying a property and you'll own two or more residential properties at the end of the transaction, the 3% surcharge applies. This includes buy-to-let properties, second homes, and properties you've inherited. It also applies if your spouse or civil partner owns another property. There are some exceptions, such as replacing your main residence.

You must pay stamp duty within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor or conveyancer usually handles this on your behalf and includes it in their completion statement. Late payment results in penalties and interest charges from HMRC.

Yes. Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) with different rates and thresholds. Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT), also with its own rates. Our calculator covers England and Northern Ireland. If you're buying in Scotland or Wales, check the respective government websites for accurate figures.

Yes. Stamp duty applies to new builds just as it does to existing properties. The tax is calculated on the purchase price in the same way. Some developers offer stamp duty incentives, but these are marketing offers rather than tax exemptions. First-time buyer relief still applies if you qualify.

In some cases, yes. The most common scenario is when you pay the 3% additional property surcharge because you haven't yet sold your previous main residence. If you sell your old home within 36 months of buying the new one, you can claim back the surcharge. You must apply to HMRC within 12 months of selling the old property or within 12 months of the filing date, whichever is later.

No. Stamp duty only applies when you buy property or land. Remortgaging your existing home, changing lenders, or releasing equity does not trigger a stamp duty charge because no change of ownership occurs.

Yes. You pay no stamp duty if the property costs less than £250,000 (or £425,000 for first-time buyers). Transfers between spouses or civil partners during marriage are exempt. Properties left to you in a will don't attract stamp duty, though they may count as an additional property if you later buy another home. Certain transactions involving charities and registered social landlords also qualify for relief.