Rates and thresholds change. The current figures are kept in one place: the Singapore property rules reference.
What are the lease duty rates?
| Average annual rent (AAR) | Lease period | Lease duty |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 or less | Any | Exempted |
| More than $1,000 | 4 years or less | 0.4% of the total rent for the lease period |
| More than $1,000 | More than 4 years, or indefinite | 0.4% of 4 times the AAR |
Duty is rounded down to the nearest dollar, with a minimum of $1. IRAS bases it on the contractual rent or the market rent, whichever is higher. The AAR also includes other payments for things such as furniture and fittings, maintenance and service charges, excluding GST.
Worked examples
| Tenancy | Working | Lease duty |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year at $2,500 a month | $30,000 total rent x 0.4% | $120 |
| 2 years at $3,000 a month | $72,000 total rent x 0.4% | $288 |
| 5 years, rent rising from $1,800 to $3,300 a month | Total rent $151,200, AAR $30,240, 4 x AAR = $120,960, x 0.4% = $483.84 | $483 (rounded down) |
Notice how a long lease is capped. Duty is based on 4 times the average annual rent, however many years the lease runs.
Who pays, and by when?
IRAS's guidance on who should pay stamp duty names the lessee, or tenant, for lease duty on a lease or tenancy agreement. What a landlord and tenant agree to between themselves is separate, so read the clause in your agreement.
IRAS asks that a document be stamped before it is signed. If you stamp it after signing, no penalty applies if you do so within 14 days of signing in Singapore, or within 30 days of receiving the document if it was signed overseas. IRAS has announced that its myTax Portal and digital services will be unavailable from 22 December 2026 to 29 December 2026, and that stamping and payments due between 22 and 28 December 2026 are extended to 5 January 2027.
Does the landlord get anything back?
For income tax, IRAS allows stamp duties incurred to obtain, grant, renew or extend a lease as a deductible rental expense, subject to conditions. No deduction is allowed for a lease, renewal or extension longer than 3 years. See how rental income is taxed.
Sources and references
Official sources, checked on 3 November 2026.
- IRAS, Renting a property, stamp duty on leases (page updated 2 November 2026)
- IRAS, Who should pay stamp duty
- IRAS, When to pay stamp duty (page updated 2 November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is the stamp duty rate on a rental agreement?
0.4% of the total rent for a lease of 4 years or less. For a longer lease or an indefinite term, 0.4% of 4 times the average annual rent.
Is any rental agreement exempt from stamp duty?
IRAS exempts a lease where the average annual rent does not exceed $1,000. Typical monthly rentals are well above that.
Who pays the stamp duty on a tenancy agreement?
IRAS's guidance lists the lessee, or tenant, as the party who pays lease duty. A landlord and tenant can agree separately how to share the cost.
When must a tenancy agreement be stamped?
Before signing, or within 14 days after signing in Singapore, or within 30 days after receiving it if signed overseas, to avoid a penalty.
Is the duty higher for a very long lease?
No, it is capped. For a lease longer than 4 years, or an indefinite term, IRAS charges 0.4% of 4 times the average annual rent.
Renting out a property and want the paperwork right?
Winfred can walk you through the tenancy steps, including stamping, so the agreement is in order from day one.
Book a free 30 minute strategy call WhatsApp WinfredWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L3010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, CPF Board or MAS before making any decision.