How Stamp Duty works
SDLT is charged in bands, like income tax — you pay each rate only on the portion of the price that falls in that band, not the whole price. From April 2025 the rates on a main home are 0% to £125k, 2% to £250k, 5% to £925k, 10% to £1.5m and 12% above.
First-time buyer relief
First-time buyers pay no SDLT up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000. If the price is above £500,000 the relief is lost and standard rates apply to the whole amount.
Second homes and other nations
An extra 5% surcharge applies to additional properties and buy-to-lets (not shown here). Scotland charges LBTT and Wales charges LTT instead, with their own bands.
Frequently asked questions
Which year and nations does this cover?
England & Northern Ireland, using the residential rates that apply from April 2025. Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) have separate systems.
When do first-time buyers stop getting relief?
Above a £500,000 purchase price the first-time buyer relief no longer applies, and standard rates are used for the full price.
Is the second-home surcharge included?
No — this assumes your only or main residence. Additional properties carry a 5% surcharge on top of the standard rates.