How much is stamp duty on a tenancy agreement?

For leases of up to 4 years: 0.4% of the total rent over the whole lease. A 2-year lease at $4,000/month is 0.4% × $96,000 = $384. For leases longer than 4 years (or indefinite), it is 0.4% × 4 × the average annual rent. Rounded down to the nearest dollar.

Is any tenancy exempt from stamp duty?

Yes — if the average annual rent (AAR) is $1,000 or less, the lease is exempt. Virtually all market residential tenancies exceed this.

Who pays the rental stamp duty, landlord or tenant?

By market convention the tenant pays, unless the tenancy agreement says otherwise. Legally, the duty must be paid for the document to be admissible — late stamping attracts IRAS penalties.

Is the old tiered method (0.4% year one, 0.2% year two) still correct?

No — that method is outdated. Current IRAS treatment is a flat 0.4% on the lease as described above.

Stamp Duty Calculator

Rental stamp duty

Lease duty on the current flat 0.4% method — not the outdated tiered one — with the AAR exemption handled.

Monthly rent

Use the higher of contractual / market rent.Lease term (months)

e.g. 24 for a 2-year lease.

Indefinite / open-ended lease

Enter the monthly rent and lease term to see the rental / lease duty.

How lease duty works

Average annual rent (AAR) of $1,000 or less: exempt. Above that, leases up to 4 years pay 0.4% of the total rent over the lease; longer or indefinite leases pay 0.4% of four times the AAR. Use the higher of contractual or market rent, and include other consideration. Duty is rounded down to the dollar.

Landlords weighing yield on a purchase: rental return is one of the seven RPS factors — check any condo's score on the Resale Project Scorecard.

Frequently asked questions

How much is stamp duty on a tenancy agreement?: For leases of up to 4 years: 0.4% of the total rent over the whole lease. A 2-year lease at $4,000/month is 0.4% × $96,000 = $384. For leases longer than 4 years (or indefinite), it is 0.4% × 4 × the average annual rent. Rounded down to the nearest dollar.
Is any tenancy exempt from stamp duty?: Yes — if the average annual rent (AAR) is $1,000 or less, the lease is exempt. Virtually all market residential tenancies exceed this.
Who pays the rental stamp duty, landlord or tenant?: By market convention the tenant pays, unless the tenancy agreement says otherwise. Legally, the duty must be paid for the document to be admissible — late stamping attracts IRAS penalties.
Is the old tiered method (0.4% year one, 0.2% year two) still correct?: No — that method is outdated. Current IRAS treatment is a flat 0.4% on the lease as described above.

Disclaimer

The tools on this page provide estimates for general reference only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Calculations are based on prevailing MAS, IRAS, HDB, and CPF rules and rates at the time of publication, which may change without notice. Actual figures — including loan eligibility, interest rates, stamp duties, and CPF usage — depend on your specific circumstances and the final assessment of banks, IRAS, and other relevant authorities. TRIBE makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any output and accepts no liability for decisions made in reliance on these tools. Please verify all figures with the relevant institutions or a qualified professional before committing to any transaction.