Stamp Duty on Leases
What is stamp duty on a lease?
Stamp duty on leases is a tax on tenancy agreements in Singapore. It is 0.4% of the total rent for leases of up to four years, or 0.4% of four times the average annual rent for longer leases. Leases with an average annual rent of $1,000 or less are exempt. The tenant pays unless the agreement says otherwise.
Key facts
- Lease of 4 years or less
- 0.4% of the total rent for the lease period
- Lease of more than 4 years, or indefinite
- 0.4% of 4 times the average annual rent
- Exempt
- Leases with an average annual rent of $1,000 or less
- Rent used
- The contractual rent or the market rent, whichever is higher
- Who pays
- The tenant, unless the tenancy agreement says otherwise
- Deadline
- Within 14 days of signing in Singapore; 30 days after receipt if signed overseas
As of 6 Nov 2026. Source: IRAS.
How lease stamp duty works
Every lease or tenancy agreement for property in Singapore is a dutiable document. The rate is the same for homes and other property; what changes is the length of the lease.
| Lease length | Stamp duty |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 years | 0.4% × total rent for the lease |
| More than 4 years, or no fixed end | 0.4% × (4 × average annual rent) |
| Average annual rent of $1,000 or less | Exempt |
IRAS uses the contractual rent or the market rent, whichever is higher. The average annual rent can include certain other charges, such as maintenance and service charges.
Example
You rent a condo for two years at $4,000 a month.
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total rent | $4,000 × 24 = $96,000 |
| Stamp duty (0.4%) | $384 |
| Pay by | 14 days after signing |
IRAS’s own example: a 5-year lease with rent rising from $1,800 to $3,300 a month has total rent of $151,200 and an average annual rent of $30,240. Duty is 0.4% of $120,960 (4 × $30,240), or $483 after rounding down.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the landlord pays. By default the tenant pays, unless the agreement says otherwise.
- Missing the 14-day deadline. Late stamping can attract a penalty of up to four times the duty.
- Stating a below-market rent. IRAS charges duty on the higher of the contractual and market rent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay stamp duty on a room rental?
Stamp duty is payable on lease documents. If the average annual rent is $1,000 or less, the lease is exempt. A licence agreement may not be liable if it is not in fact a lease; check the IRAS rules for your arrangement.
What if I pay stamp duty late?
IRAS can impose a penalty of up to four times the duty on documents that are unstamped, stamped late or insufficiently stamped.
How is the duty rounded?
It is rounded down to the nearest dollar, with a minimum of $1.
Related terms
Sources
Every figure on this page was checked against the official government sources above on 6 Nov 2026. See our editorial policy.
This is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice.