Question 1

What is stamp duty?

Accepted Answer

Stamp duty is the tax you pay when you buy a property or land over a certain price. It is called Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England and Northern Ireland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) in Scotland, and Land Transaction Tax (LTT) in Wales. Each is charged in bands, so you pay a rising rate only on the portion of the price within each band.

Question 2

Do first-time buyers pay stamp duty?

Accepted Answer

First-time buyers usually pay reduced or no stamp duty up to a set threshold, provided the property is below a maximum price. The relief differs by nation, so the calculator applies the correct first-time buyer rates once you select your country and tick the first-time buyer option.

Question 3

How much stamp duty do I pay on a second home or buy-to-let?

Accepted Answer

Additional properties — second homes and buy-to-lets — attract a surcharge on top of the standard rates in all three UK tax systems. The calculator adds this surcharge automatically when you mark the purchase as an additional property.

Question 4

Which stamp duty applies in Scotland and Wales?

Accepted Answer

Scotland charges Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Wales charges Land Transaction Tax (LTT). Both have their own bands and thresholds that differ from SDLT in England and Northern Ireland. Choose your country in the calculator to apply the right rates.