Know your property transaction costs

A tax paid when you buy property. It's charged by state or national governments, and the rate depends on the purchase price, buyer type, and location.

It depends on the country, state, price, and buyer type. Typical ranges: 5%–8% in India, 0%–12% (banded) in the UK, 3%–5% in Australia, 1%–4% (BSD) in Singapore. Use this calculator for your specific case.

Stamp duty is the tax on the transaction. Registration is the fee for officially recording the transfer in government records. In India, registration is typically 1% of property value and is separate from stamp duty. In the UK, registration is included in SDLT.

Often yes. UK: no SDLT up to £425,000. Australia (NSW): exempt below $800K. India: some states offer 1%–2% concessions. Singapore: no ABSD for citizens on first property. Check your local rules.

Governments use stamp duty surcharges (3% in the UK, up to 60% in Singapore) to discourage property speculation and free up housing for owner-occupiers. If you already own a home, expect to pay a premium.

In India, GST is 5% on under-construction properties and 1% for affordable housing. Ready-to-move properties with a completion certificate attract 0% GST. In Australia, GST applies to new builds but not resales.

No — it's a government tax, not a negotiable fee. But you can sometimes reduce it by buying at a lower price, buying in a different state, or qualifying for first-time buyer relief.

No. Stamp duty is a cash cost, paid separately at the time of the transaction. You must budget for it in addition to your down payment.

In India, typically within 4 months of signing the agreement. In the UK, within 14 days of completion. In Australia, at settlement. In Singapore, within 14 days of signing.

The property transfer isn't legally valid. You'll face penalties and interest, and the transaction may be void. In some countries, the property can't be registered without stamp duty being paid.

Options include: buying below band thresholds, qualifying for first-time buyer relief, buying in a lower-rate state, or having a female co-buyer in India (many states offer 1% concession).

Yes — many Indian states offer a 1%–2% concession for female buyers. Delhi, for example, charges 4% for female buyers vs 6% for male buyers. This can save lakhs on a large purchase.

Stamp Duty Land Tax — the UK's stamp duty on property purchases. It's banded: 0% up to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5M, 12% above. First-time buyers get a £425,000 zero-rate threshold.

Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty — a Singapore surcharge on top of BSD. Citizens pay 0% on their first property, up to 30% on subsequent properties. Foreigners pay 60%. Designed to cool the property market.

Not for stamp duty itself. But newer properties (under-construction) may attract GST in India. Ready-to-move resale properties usually avoid GST, so the total transaction cost can be lower even if the base price is similar.

Rarely. In some cases (cancelled transactions, overpayment), a refund is possible. In India, if the transaction is cancelled within a set period, refund may be claimed. In the UK, refunds are available for certain cases like leasehold issues.

Some transfers are exempt: inheritance, gifts to family, transfers between spouses, and certain government transactions. Rules vary by country. Consult a solicitor or tax advisor.

Stamp duty ÷ property price, expressed as a percentage. Under banded systems, the effective rate is often lower than the top-band rate because lower portions are taxed less. This calculator shows your effective rate.

Yes. Legal fees (conveyancing, title search, documentation) are paid to lawyers or solicitors — separate from stamp duty. They typically add 0.3%–1% of the property price.

Property price + stamp duty + registration + legal fees + GST (if applicable) + other fees. Together, transaction costs typically add 6%–15% to the purchase price.

We use current indicative rates. Stamp duty rates change with government budgets and policy. Always verify the latest rate with your state's revenue department or a solicitor before completing a transaction.

Not usually on residential rentals in most countries. However, in some Indian states, rent agreements need to be stamped (a small fee, typically ₹100–₹500). Commercial rent agreements often have higher stamp duty.

Not typically for stamp duty itself, but NRIs face additional rules in some markets — like Singapore's 60% ABSD for foreign buyers, or Australia's foreign buyer surcharge (8%). Check the specifics for your country.

A different name for the same kind of tax. In Canada it's called Land Transfer Tax. In Australia it's called Stamp Duty. In the UK it's SDLT. In India it's just "stamp duty". Same concept.

For primary residences, usually not. For investment properties, in some countries, stamp duty can be added to the cost basis for capital gains purposes, and legal fees may be deductible. Consult a tax advisor.

Rarely. It's a lump-sum payment due at a specific time. In India, some states allow payment at the time of registration (which may be a few months after the agreement). In the UK and Australia, it's typically due at completion.

In most markets, joint purchase doesn't change the stamp duty — it's based on the total property price. But in India, if a female co-buyer is included, some states offer a concession on her share.

Sometimes. Some countries have lower rates for agricultural land, affordable housing, or specific property types. In the UK, for example, "non-residential" SDLT rates differ from residential. This calculator assumes residential property.

In some markets, the value used for stamp duty excludes GST/VAT or certain inclusions. In India, stamp duty is on the agreement value or circle rate, whichever is higher. In the UK, only certain allowances apply for specific schemes.

No — stamp duty is on the property transaction, not the loan. However, in some Indian states, the loan agreement itself needs to be stamped (a small fee, typically ₹100–₹500).

In India, under-construction properties attract 5% GST (or 1% for affordable housing). Add that to stamp duty + registration. Ready-to-move properties with completion certificates attract no GST, so total transaction costs are often lower.

The total one-time cost of buying a property — stamp duty, registration, legal fees, GST, mortgage fees, and other charges. Typically 6%–15% of the property price.

Yes, completely free. And everything runs in your browser — no data is uploaded or stored.

Currently: India (7 states), UK, Australia (3 states), Singapore. We plan to add Canada, UAE, and more Indian states next.

No. All calculations happen in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, tracked, or stored.