HK Property Stamp Duty Calculator

Hong Kong real estate transactions underwent a historic transformation following the 2024/25 Budget announcement on February 28, 2024. The Financial Secretary officially abolished all residential property cooling measures: Special Stamp Duty (SSD), Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD), and the 15% New Residential Stamp Duty (NRSD / Scale 1 AVD).

Today, every property buyer in Hong Kong—whether a first-time local homebuyer, an existing owner acquiring a second flat, an overseas expatriate investor, or an institutional corporate entity—is assessed exclusively under Scale 2 Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD) rates. This landmark reform leveled the playing field, eliminating the onerous 15% to 30% punitive surcharges previously imposed on foreign and second-home purchasers.

The current Scale 2 tariff structure ranges from a symbolic HK$100 flat fee for starter homes valued up to HK$3,000,000, progressing through marginal relief thresholds up to a statutory maximum rate of 4.25% for properties exceeding HK$20,000,000. Stamping must be completed and duties paid to the Stamp Office of the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) within 30 days of executing the provisional or formal Agreement for Sale and Purchase. Explore our in-depth Scale 2 AVD Property Stamp Duty Guide, review overall transaction rules in the Hong Kong Stamp Duty Complete Hub, and learn rental lease requirements in our Tenancy Agreement Stamp Duty Guide.

Accurately estimate your statutory Scale 2 AVD liability and total property acquisition cost:

1. Enter Property Price / Valuation: Input the agreed transaction consideration or prevailing market value of the residential or commercial property in Hong Kong Dollars (HK$). The IRD assesses duty on whichever amount is higher.
2. Select Buyer Status: Choose your residency status (HK Permanent Resident first-time buyer, non-first-time buyer, expat/non-resident, or corporate buyer). Under current law, all categories pay standard Scale 2 AVD.
3. Select Property Type: Confirm whether the property is residential or non-residential (commercial retail, office, or industrial space). Both now share identical Scale 2 AVD rate tiers.
4. Click Calculate: Instantly inspect your exact stamp duty payable, statutory marginal relief benefit, effective tax percentage, and total required acquisition outlay.

Your calculation summary breaks down the statutory IRD assessment under Scale 2 AVD:

Understanding Marginal Relief: To prevent unfair tax spikes when a property price marginally crosses a tier threshold (e.g. crossing HK$3,000,000 into the 1.50% bracket), the IRD applies statutory marginal relief. The formula charges the duty of the preceding bracket plus 10% of the consideration exceeding the lower boundary, ensuring smooth tax progression.

The Inland Revenue Ordinance (Cap. 117) sets out the following Scale 2 Ad Valorem Stamp Duty rate schedule:

To see how Scale 2 rates and marginal relief calculate in practice across common price segments:

• Post-Cooling Measure Precision: Built strictly according to the latest IRD Scale 2 AVD schedules with all abolished cooling measures removed.
• Automated Marginal Relief Calculation: Accurately computes exact marginal relief equations across all 5 transition bands.
• Clear Acquisition Budgeting: Provides complete visibility on net duty, effective percentage, and gross acquisition capital.
• Comprehensive HK Tax Spiderweb: Connected directly to our Scale 2 AVD Guide, Stamp Duty Hub, and Property Tax Guide.

• Under-Value Transactions: Transactions executed below prevailing open market value are re-assessed by the IRD Rating and Valuation Department.
• Tenancy Stamp Duty: Rental leases are subject to separate tenancy agreement stamp duty (typically 0.25% to 1% of average annual rent plus HK$5 counterpart).
• Stock Transfers: Transfers of Hong Kong shares in property-holding companies are subject to contract note stamp duty (0.10% each on bought and sold notes).

A historical overview of Hong Kong property stamp duty policy shifts:

• Assuming Foreigners Still Pay BSD: Many international buyers and overseas expats mistakenly believe they still owe 15% or 30% Buyer's Stamp Duty. Since February 28, 2024, foreign purchasers pay the exact same Scale 2 AVD as permanent residents.
• Miscalculating the 30-Day Stamping Deadline: In Hong Kong, stamp duty is payable within 30 days of signing the provisional (or formal) Agreement for Sale and Purchase, NOT upon property completion/assignment. Late stamping triggers severe penalties of up to 10 times the duty owed under Section 9 of the Stamp Duty Ordinance.
• Ignoring Inland Revenue Department Revaluation Audits: If you purchase property from a family member or friend at a significant discount to market price, the Stamp Office conducts an independent open-market valuation and issues a demand note for underpaid duty based on fair market value under Section 27(4).
• Forgetting to Claim Mortgage Financing Pre-Approval: Banks in Hong Kong generally do not permit financing the stamp duty fee directly into the property mortgage. Buyers must hold sufficient liquid cash reserves to cover the stamp duty upon signing.

• Inland Revenue Department — Stamp Duty Office — Official Scale 2 AVD Schedules & Circulars
• GovHK Property Stamp Duty Portal — Conveyancing Rules & Stamping Procedures
• Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) — Property Valuations, Rates & Government Rent

Keep stamped sale agreements, conveyance deeds, and solicitors' payment receipts for at least 7 years in accordance with Section 51C of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.