Singapore Foreigner 60% ABSD Property Tax & FTA Exemption Guide 2026

Complete official 2026 guide to Singapore Foreigner 60% Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD). Explains Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 0% ABSD exemptions for US citizens & EFTA nationals.

Statutory Overview & Housing Framework

Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) is a property tax administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) under the Stamp Duties Act 1929. Under property market cooling measures, a statutory 60% ABSD rate applies to foreign passport holders purchasing any residential property (private condominium, landed home, or apartment) in Singapore. However, under international Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) containing 'National Treatment' obligations, nationals and permanent residents of five specific countries—the United States of America (US Citizens), Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland—are statutorily EXEMPT from foreigner ABSD. Eligible FTA nationals are accorded the same tax treatment as Singapore Citizens (0% ABSD on their 1st residential property purchase). This guide details ABSD rates, FTA remission rules, joint purchase rules, and IRAS e-Stamping procedures.

Key Statutory Rules & Housing Criteria

Foreigners purchasing any residential property in Singapore are subject to a flat 60% ABSD on the purchase price or market valuation, whichever is higher, plus standard Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD up to 6%).

Nationals of the USA (US Passport holders) and nationals/PRs of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland pay 0% ABSD on their 1st Singapore residential property under FTA National Treatment rules.

If a foreign non-FTA buyer purchases property jointly with an FTA national or Singapore Citizen, the HIGHEST applicable ABSD rate (60%) applies to the entire purchase, unless married couple exceptions apply.

A foreign spouse married to a Singapore Citizen purchasing their 1st matrimonial residential property jointly can apply for full ABSD remission under IRAS regulations.

Purchasing residential property under a trust for beneficiaries incurs a 60% ABSD upfront rate, though remission can be claimed if beneficiary requirements are met.

Even if exempt from ABSD via FTA, foreign buyers must secure written approval from the Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU) under the Residential Property Act before purchasing landed homes (bungalows, semi-detached) in Singapore (Sentosa Cove excluded).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The standard Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) rate for foreign buyers is 60% of the property's purchase price or market valuation (whichever is higher).

Under international Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), US Citizens and nationals/PRs of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are EXEMPT from foreigner ABSD and pay 0% ABSD on their 1st residential property.

No. Under the US-Singapore FTA, National Treatment applies strictly to US CITIZENS holding a US passport. US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders of other nationalities) do not qualify.

A US citizen buying their 1st Singapore condo pays 0% ABSD (saving S$1,200,000 in tax!) and pays only standard Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) of S$69,600.

While FTA nationals enjoy 0% ABSD, they must still obtain prior written permission from the Land Dealings Approval Unit (LDAU) under the Residential Property Act to buy landed property, unless buying on Sentosa Cove.

For joint purchases between a foreign non-FTA buyer and a Singapore Citizen, the highest ABSD rate (60%) applies to the ENTIRE purchase price, unless they are a legally married couple buying their 1st home.

No. ABSD applies ONLY to residential property. Commercial offices, retail shops, shophouses, and industrial properties incur 0% ABSD for foreign buyers.

ABSD must be paid via your conveyancing lawyer within 14 days of signing the Sale and Purchase Agreement (S&PA) or exercising the Option to Purchase (OTP).

Singapore Citizens and PRs can use CPF Ordinary Account savings to pay ABSD. Foreign buyers who do not have CPF must pay ABSD 100% in cash.

Your conveyancing lawyer selects the relevant FTA Remission category during electronic e-Stamping on the IRAS portal and submits your valid foreign passport as proof.

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