BSD Explained: Buyer's Stamp Duty Rates in Singapore

Glossary Last reviewed

BSD (Buyer's Stamp Duty) is the tax levied on every Singapore residential property purchase, payable by the buyer within 14 days of contract signing. Current tiered rates (since 15 Feb 2023): 1% on first S$180k, 2% next S$180k, 3% next S$640k, 4% next S$500k, 5% S$1.5M–S$3M, 6% above S$3M.

Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) is the universal tax on every residential property purchase in Singapore — paid by the buyer, applied to the higher of purchase price or market value, and due within 14 days of the contract being signed. Unlike ABSD which scales by buyer profile and existing properties, BSD applies to everyone — citizens, PRs, and foreigners alike — at the same progressive rate.

The current BSD rate schedule has been in force since 15 February 2023, when the top marginal rate was raised to 6% for residential and 5% for commercial. The rates remain unchanged in Budget 2026 (as of 2026-05). BSD is computed progressively across tiers — you pay the tier rate on the slice of price within each band, not the top rate on the whole price.

For: Students of the marketFirst-time buyers
Source: IRAS, MAS, URA
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Quick Definition
Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) is a progressive tax on all property purchases in Singapore.

What Does It Mean?

Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) is a progressive tax on all property purchases in Singapore. Rates range from 1% on the first $180,000 to 6% on value above $3,000,000. BSD applies to every buyer regardless of nationality or number of properties owned.

Current Rates

Property Value BandRateMax Duty
First $180,0001%$1,800
Next $180,000 ($180,001–$360,000)2%$3,600
Next $640,000 ($360,001–$1,000,000)3%$19,200
Next $500,000 ($1,000,001–$1,500,000)4%$20,000
Next $1,500,000 ($1,500,001–$3,000,000)5%$75,000
Above $3,000,0006%Variable

For a $1,500,000 property, total BSD = $1,800 + $3,600 + $19,200 + $20,000 = $44,600.

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Worked Example

For a property priced at $1,500,000:

$44,600
Total BSD Payable
2.97%
Effective Rate

Why It Matters

BSD is unavoidable for every property purchase in Singapore. On a $2M property, you'll pay $64,600 in BSD alone. Factor this into your total acquisition budget from the start.

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BSD residential rate tiers (effective since 15 Feb 2023):

Price sliceBSD rate
First S$180,0001%
Next S$180,0002%
Next S$640,0003%
Next S$500,0004%
Next S$1,500,000 (S$1.5M to S$3M)5%
Above S$3,000,0006%

Worked example: BSD on a S$1,800,000 condo.

  • 1% × S$180,000 = S$1,800
  • 2% × S$180,000 = S$3,600
  • 3% × S$640,000 = S$19,200
  • 4% × S$500,000 = S$20,000
  • 5% × S$300,000 = S$15,000
  • Total BSD = S$59,600 (approximately 3.3% of price)

BSD on a S$5,000,000 GCB would be S$1,800 + S$3,600 + S$19,200 + S$20,000 + S$75,000 + S$120,000 = S$239,600 (approximately 4.8% of price). The top-tier 6% applies to the slice above S$3M only.

  1. Use the IRAS calculator at iras.gov.sg for the exact BSD on any specific price.
  2. Budget BSD as cash — payable within 14 days of S&P, separate from the down payment. Don\'t conflate.
  3. Compute BSD on market value if higher than the stated price — IRAS uses the greater of the two.
  4. BSD applies once per purchase — it\'s not refundable, not stacked, and not affected by remissions (unlike ABSD).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BSD the same for all buyers?
Yes. BSD rates are identical for Singapore Citizens, PRs, and foreigners. Only ABSD varies by buyer profile.
Can BSD be paid with CPF?
Yes. CPF OA funds can be used to pay BSD (and ABSD) as part of the property purchase, subject to CPF withdrawal limits.
Is BSD payable on HDB resale?

Yes. BSD applies to all residential property purchases including HDB resale at the same tiered rates.

What if I miss the 14-day deadline?

Late penalties apply — up to S$10 + 0.5% per month, capped at four times the duty payable. Pay on time.

Is BSD different for commercial property?

Yes — commercial top rate is 5% (not 6%); the slice structure is also slightly different. Always check the specific commercial rate schedule.

Does BSD apply to inherited property?

No, inheritance transfers are exempt from BSD. Only purchases are subject to BSD.

This glossary article is auto-generated from ShiokNest's financial data and updated periodically. Rates and figures are current as of May 2026. Check official sources for the latest.