Answers · UK 2025/26
What is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in 2026/27?
Stamp Duty Land Tax is the tax you pay when buying property in England and Northern Ireland — in 2026/27 you pay 0% on the first £125,000, 2% on £125k–£250k, 5% on £250k–£925k, 10% on £925k–£1.5M, and 12% above £1.5M.
Full answer
**Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)** is payable when you purchase land or property in England and Northern Ireland above certain thresholds. It is calculated on the purchase price using a tiered (slice) system. **2026/27 SDLT rates (residential, main residence):** | Purchase price band | SDLT rate | |---|---| | Up to £125,000 | **0%** | | £125,001 – £250,000 | **2%** | | £250,001 – £925,000 | **5%** | | £925,001 – £1,500,000 | **10%** | | Above £1,500,000 | **12%** | **First-time buyer relief (from April 2025):** First-time buyers pay 0% on the first £300,000 (previously £425,000 — reduced from 31 March 2025). Relief is capped at properties worth £500,000 (previously £625,000). **Additional property surcharge (+5%):** Buying a second home or buy-to-let property adds a **5% surcharge** on all bands. So a £300,000 BTL property attracts SDLT of 5%+5%=10% on £175,000 = £17,500 (not £5,000 as for a main residence). **Non-resident surcharge (+2%):** Non-UK residents buying English/NI property pay a further **2% surcharge** on all bands. **Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT):** - Scotland uses **Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT)** with different rates/thresholds - Wales uses **Land Transaction Tax (LTT)** with its own rates **Payment deadline:** SDLT must be paid within **14 days** of completion (conveyancers typically handle this). **Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR) abolished:** MDR — which allowed buyers of multiple properties in one transaction to pay a lower average rate — was **abolished from 1 June 2024**.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.