1. What is ABSD?
Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) is a tax paid by buyers of residential propertyin Singapore, in addition to Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD). Its purpose is to moderate demand and direct ownership patterns — specifically, to curb investment buying by foreigners, entities, and Singapore Citizens already owning multiple homes.
ABSD does not apply to commercial, industrial, or mixed-use commercial properties. It applies only to residential — defined by IRAS as a property that is, or can be, used for dwelling.
Unlike BSD which is tiered, ABSD is a flat percentageon the higher of the purchase price or open-market value. The percentage depends entirely on the buyer's profile and existing property count.
2. Current ABSD rates (since 27 April 2023)
| Buyer profile | 1st property | 2nd property | 3rd or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Citizen (SC) | 0% | 20% | 30% |
| Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) | 5% | 30% | 35% |
| Foreigner | 60% | 60% | 60% |
| Entity (companies, certain trustees) | 65% | 65% | 65% |
| Housing developer (+ 5% non-remittable) | 35% | 35% | 35% |
3. When ABSD applies
ABSD is triggered by every residential property purchase in Singapore. The applicable rate depends on:
- The buyer's profile at the date of acquisition (citizenship, entity status).
- How many residential properties the buyer already owns, anywhere in the world according to public records — though IRAS primarily looks at Singapore properties.
- For joint buyers, IRAS applies the highest-ABSD profile among them. A SC + Foreigner joint purchase attracts foreigner rate (60%) unless eligible for a remission.
- For property held on trust, ABSD (Trust) of 65% applies if a living trust is involved — see the trustee section.
4. Worked examples on a $2,000,000 condo
BSD on $2M = $69,600 (tiered 1% / 2% / 3% / 4% / 5%). Adding ABSD by profile:
- SC, 1st property — ABSD $0. Total stamp duty $69,600.
- SC, 2nd property — ABSD 20% × $2M = $400,000. Total $469,600.
- SC, 3rd property — ABSD 30% × $2M = $600,000. Total $669,600.
- SPR, 1st property — ABSD 5% × $2M = $100,000. Total $169,600.
- SPR, 2nd property — ABSD 30% × $2M = $600,000. Total $669,600.
- Foreigner, any property — ABSD 60% × $2M = $1,200,000. Total $1,269,600.
- Entity — ABSD 65% × $2M = $1,300,000. Total $1,369,600.
🧮 Try any price profile in the ABSD calculator or combined BSD + ABSD calculator.
5. ABSD remissions
The main ABSD remissions (relief) available:
- Married Couples Remission — No Existing Property — A SC + SC or SC + SPR couple buying their 1st residential property together. The SPR's 5% ABSD can be refunded if neither spouse owned other residential property at the purchase date.
- Married Couples Refund — Existing Property Sold — A SC who buys a 2nd property may apply for a full refund of the ABSD paid if they sell the 1st within 6 months of the 2nd purchase (or 6 months of TOP/CSC issuance for an uncompleted property).
- FTA Nationals Remission — Citizens (and where applicable PRs) of FTA partner countries treated as SC for ABSD — 0% on 1st property.
- Developers' ABSD Remission — Housing developers can apply for remission of the 35% upon meeting prescribed conditions, subject to project completion timeline.
Remissions are not automatic — they must be applied for within strict timelines. See the dedicated Married Couples ABSD Remission guide.
6. Trustees and the 65% ABSD (Trust)
From 9 May 2022, any residential property purchased on trust (where the equitable interest is transferred to a beneficial owner) attracts ABSD (Trust) of 65%, regardless of the beneficial owner's profile.
A subsequent application for refund of ABSD (Trust) may be made if:
- The beneficial owner is identifiable.
- The beneficial owner is an individual.
- All beneficial ownership of the property is vested in identifiable individuals.
- The application is filed within 6 months of the date of acquisition.
The refund granted equals the difference between 65% and the ABSD rate that would have applied to the beneficial owner directly.
7. The FTA exception
Under Singapore's Free Trade Agreements, nationals of five countries are entitled to Singapore Citizen treatment for ABSD — paying 0% on their 1st residential property in Singapore:
- 🇺🇸 United States — citizens (not PRs)
- 🇮🇸 Iceland — citizens and PRs
- 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein — citizens and PRs
- 🇳🇴 Norway — citizens and PRs
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland — citizens and PRs
See ABSD for FTA Nationals for the full election process.