Stamp Duty Land Tax in England and Northern Ireland
When you buy a residential property in England and Northern Ireland over a certain price you have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
The tax is paid to the government within 14 days of completion of the sale via an SDLT return to HMRC. If you have a solicitor, estate agent or conveyancer, they’ll usually file your return and pay the tax on your behalf on the day of completion and add the amount to their fees. They’ll also claim any relief you’re eligible for, such as if you’re a first-time buyer. You can also file the return and pay the tax yourself if you wish to do so.
Use our Stamp Duty Calculator to calculate how much stamp duty you could pay depending on your reason for purchasing the property and its value.
If you're buying in Scotland you will pay a Land and Buildings Transaction Tax.
First-time buyers will only pay SDLT on homes over £425,000, up from £300,000. First-time buyers' relief is available on properties up to £625,000, up from £500,000.
If buying a new residential property means you'll own more than one, from 31st October 2024 you’ll usually have to pay 5% on top of the single property SDLT rates as detailed below.
Stamp duty rates from 23rd September 2022 to 31st March 2025
Purchase price under £250,000: No stamp duty is charged on properties under £250,000.
Purchase price between £250,001 and £925,000: Buyers don’t pay stamp duty on the first £250,000. They then pay 5% on the portion of the price between £250,001 and £925,000.
Purchase price between £925,001 and £1.5m: Buyers don’t pay stamp duty on the first £250,000. They then pay 5% on the portion of the price between £250,001 and £925,000 and 10% on the portion between £925,001 and £1.5 million.
Purchase price over £1.5m: Buyers don’t pay stamp duty on the first £250,000. They then pay 5% on the portion of the price between £250,001 and £925,000, 10% on the portion between £925,001 and £1.5 million and 12% on the portion over £1.5 million.
Stamp Duty Rates are changing from 1st of April 2025
From the 1st of April 2025, the amount of stamp duty you pay when purchasing a property will change. Below is a summary of those changes:
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Property value up to £125,000 = £0
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The next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) you pay 2% tax
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The next £675,000s (the portion from £250,000 to £925,000) you pay 5%
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The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,0001 to £1.5 million) you pay 10%
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The remaining amount (anything over £1.5million) will pay 12%.
Read our handy guide for further details of changes to the stamp duty rates in 2025, and how it might impact your home buying or selling process.
You might want to know
Stamp Duty Tax Calculator
First Time Buyer Guide
Buying in England
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