Singapore Foreigner ABSD 60% Property Stamp Duty Guide 2026

Complete guide to Singapore Foreigner ABSD 60% property stamp duty. Explains BSD rates, US/FTA tax exemptions, IRAS payment deadlines, & legal appeals.

Statutory Overview & Housing Framework

Under the Stamp Duties Act (Cap. 312), foreign individuals purchasing any residential property in Singapore are subject to an Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) rate of 60%, introduced as part of government property cooling measures to ensure housing affordability for Singapore citizens. In addition to the 60% ABSD, buyers must pay Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD) tiered up to 6% on property valuations exceeding S$3 million. However, citizens of select countries with Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)—specifically the United States, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland—enjoy full ABSD remission and are treated under the same stamp duty rates as Singapore Citizens.

Key Statutory Rules & Housing Criteria

60% ABSD Foreigner Cooling Measure Tax Tier60% ABSD Rate

Applies to any residential property purchase or trust acquisition by non-citizens.

FTA Tax Remission Treaty (US Citizens & EFTA Nationals)FTA Tax Waiver

US citizens and EFTA nationals qualify for SC-equivalent 0% ABSD on 1st residential property.

Tiered Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD 1% to 6%)BSD Tiers

1% on first S$180k, 2% on next S$180k, 3% on next S$640k, 4% on next S$500k, 5% on next S$1.5M, 6% thereafter.

IRAS e-Stamping & Penalty For Late Payment14-Day Deadline

Must be paid within 14 days of signing OTP; late payment incurs penalties up to 4 times unpaid tax.

Qualification Rules & Statutory Compliance

Applies to foreign buyers, permanent residents, corporate buyers, and trust structures buying residential property.

US citizens and EFTA nationals must submit passport verification to IRAS to claim FTA stamp duty remission.

ABSD must be paid upfront in cash or CPF (CPF usable only for Singapore Citizens / Permanent Residents).

Stamp duty must be remitted via IRAS e-Stamping portal prior to property legal completion.

Statutory Document Checklist & Forms

IRAS Stamp Duties Act (Cap. 312) Gazette Notice

Option to Purchase (OTP) or Sale & Purchase Agreement

Passport Copy & Immigration Pass Details

IRAS Form Section 44 FTA Stamp Duty Remission Declaration

Step-by-Step Housing & Property Workflow

Exercise Option to Purchase (OTP) with Seller

Pay 1% to 5% option fee to secure residential property OTP.

Engage Singapore Conveyancing Lawyer

Appoint law firm to perform title searches and compute BSD and ABSD obligations.

Verify FTA Stamp Duty Remission Qualification

If US/EFTA national, submit proof of citizenship for 0% first-home ABSD rate.

e-Stamp Documents on IRAS Portal within 14 Days

Remit BSD (up to 6%) and ABSD (60%) through conveyancing lawyer to IRAS.

Complete Property Transfer & SLA Title Registration

Receive official IRAS Stamp Certificate and complete legal transfer at SLA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As of 2026, the Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) rate for foreign individuals buying any residential property in Singapore is 60% of the purchase price or market valuation, whichever is higher.

Under respective Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), citizens of the United States, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland are eligible for full ABSD remission and pay the same ABSD rate as Singapore Citizens (0% on their 1st residential property).

BSD applies to all property purchases regardless of nationality. Rates are: 1% (first S$180k), 2% (next S$180k), 3% (next S$640k), 4% (next S$500k), 5% (next S$1.5M), and 6% for the portion exceeding S$3 million.

Foreigners cannot buy public HDB flats or landed residential homes on the mainland (unless granted rare SLA Land Dealings Approval Unit consent). Foreigners are free to buy private condominiums and landed villas in Sentosa Cove.

ABSD and BSD must be paid within 14 days of signing the Option to Purchase (OTP) or Sale and Purchase Agreement if executed in Singapore, or within 30 days if executed overseas.

No. CPF Ordinary Account funds can only be used by Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents for property purchases and stamp duty payments. Foreigners must pay all stamp duties in cash.