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THE LEVEL GROUND

Should capital gains tax replace seller’s stamp duty on homes?

Taxing profitable property transactions would be a more equitable way to curb speculation

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Leslie Yee

Leslie Yee

Published Mon, Jul 14, 2025 · 11:45 AM
    • Recent adjustments to seller's stamp duty on homes saw the holding period and rates increase.
    • Recent adjustments to seller's stamp duty on homes saw the holding period and rates increase. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

    [SINGAPORE] Strong guard rails are in place to help ensure a stable housing market in Singapore. This includes levying seller’s stamp duty (SSD) on transactions of homes which are sold within a specified holding period.

    SSD of 1 per cent for the first S$180,000, 2 per cent on the next S$180,000 and 3 per cent on the remainder was applicable to the sale of homes with a holding period of under one year when the duty was first introduced in February 2010.

    Today, SSD rates are much higher, and the holding period before a seller can sell a home without attracting SSD is much longer.

    Singapore residential propertyResidential propertyResidentialprivate home salesTaxesCONDOSThe Level Ground

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