The Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) and Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) have been hogging property news for some time now, but the Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) has packed quite a punch of its own as well.
The Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) is seldom mentioned, but ever since its implementation in 2011 to curb property speculation, it has collected up to $70 million in non-landed property transactions. February 2015 marked the record high in SSD collected. One of the biggest losses for the seller was a unit at the Seascape condominium at Sentosa Cove which sold in May with a $5.43 million loss. Another unit at Four Seasons Park incurred a $2.64 million loss as well.
How does the SSD work? For properties purchased after 14 January 2011, should the property be sold within the first year, the SSD comes up to a whooping 16%, then lowered to 12%, 8 % and 4% after the second, third and fourth year. Should you sell after the fourth year, the SSD will no longer apply and you will be saved from having to pay any additional seller’s stamp duties.
Though tough, industry analysts consider the SSD an effective tool in curbing property “flipping” and consider it mild when compared to the ABSD which is levied on foreign home buyers and Singaporeans purchasing second and subsequent properties. These do not have a time limit, and unless the regulations are amended in future, will continue to take a fair bite out of profits.
