First Home Stamp Duty Calculator UK 2025/26

A first-time buyer is someone who has never owned a residential property anywhere in the world, including inherited or gifted properties. You must be purchasing your first home to live in — buy-to-let does not qualify. HMRC checks land registry records globally, so overseas property ownership disqualifies you.

First-time buyers pay 0% on the first £425,000, then 5% on the portion from £425,001 to £625,000. If the property costs more than £625,000, standard SDLT rates apply and no relief is available. This threshold was increased from £300,000 in the September 2022 mini-budget and made permanent.

Yes. In a joint purchase, all buyers must be first-time buyers to claim the relief. If one buyer has previously owned a property, the relief is completely lost and standard rates apply to the entire purchase price. There is no partial relief for joint purchases where only one party qualifies.

Yes, first-time buyer SDLT relief applies to new-build properties just as it does to existing properties. You pay 0% on the first £425,000 and 5% on £425,001–£625,000. However, if you are purchasing through Help to Buy Equity Loan, special rules may apply — consult your solicitor.

The current thresholds (£425,000 nil-rate band, £625,000 upper limit) took effect on 23 September 2022. They apply until 31 March 2025, after which the thresholds revert to £300,000 nil-rate and £500,000 upper limit unless further extended. Always check current HMRC guidance before completing.

If the property price exceeds £625,000, first-time buyer relief is completely lost. You pay standard SDLT rates: 0% on the first £250,000, 5% on £250,001–£925,000, 10% on £925,001–£1.5m, and 12% above £1.5m. There is no partial relief — it is all or nothing.

Yes. First-time buyers purchasing shared ownership property can elect to pay SDLT on the full market value upfront (and benefit from the full relief) or pay in stages on each tranche purchased. Electing for full market value SDLT payment is often more efficient if the total value is under £625,000.

No. First-time buyers pay zero SDLT on properties up to £425,000. This effectively means no stamp duty on most first-time purchases outside London and the South East. Only the portion above £425,000 (up to £625,000) is taxed at 5%.

You do not pay SDLT on a gifted deposit itself. However, if parents have any legal interest (ownership share) in the property, this may affect first-time buyer status. Cash gifts are fine. Ensure your solicitor documents the gift properly as a non-repayable gift to avoid complications.

With Help to Buy Equity Loan, you pay SDLT on the full purchase price of the property, not just on your mortgage portion. First-time buyer relief applies if the total property value is £625,000 or under. The equity loan itself is not an SDLT event — only the property purchase triggers SDLT.

SDLT must be paid within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor typically handles payment as part of the conveyancing process. Late payment incurs interest and a penalty starting at £100. If you fail to file an SDLT return, penalties increase to £200 after 3 months plus tax-geared penalties.

Yes. You can claim an SDLT refund from HMRC within 12 months of the filing date (or 12 months after the transaction date if later). Common overpayment reasons include applying the wrong rate, failing to claim first-time buyer relief, or a property qualifying as uninhabitable at completion.