In February 2010, the Government imposed a seller’s stamp duty (SSD) on sellers who buy (or acquire) residential properties on or after 20 February 2010 and sell (or disposed of) them within one year of acquisition.
The amount of SSD is computed based on the same rates as the buyer's stamp duty.
On 30 Aug 2010, the Government further announced that SSD will be payable on residential properties which are acquired (or purchased) on or after 30 Aug 2010 and disposed of (or sold) within 3 years of acquisition. The amount of SSD for the holding period of 1 year is computed based on the same rates as the buyer's stamp duty, but will be reduced to 2/3 and 1/3 of the amount of buyer's stamp duty for holding period of 2 years and 3 years respectively.
On 13 January 2011, the Government announced the extension of the holding period for imposition of SSD on residential properties from 3 years to 4 years based on new rates. The new SSD rates will be imposed on residential properties which are acquired (or purchased) on or after 14 January 2011 and disposed of (or sold) within 4 years of acquisition, as follows :
- Holding period of 1 year : 16% of price or market value, whichever is higher
- Holding period of 2 years : 12% of price or market value, whichever is higher
- Holding period of 3 years : 8% of price or market value, whichever is higher
- Holding period of 4 years : 4% of price or market value, whichever is higher
Properties acquired before 20 Feb 2010 will not be subject to SSD
more related articles on property stamp duties here