Unlike a Singapore Citizen, a PR does not get a stamp duty free first property. The ABSD clock starts immediately, just at a lower rate than a foreigner pays.
The two duties, stacked
Every residential purchase attracts tiered Buyer's Stamp Duty (BSD): 1% on the first $180,000, 2% on the next $180,000, 3% on the next $640,000, 4% on the next $500,000, 5% on the next $1.5 million, and 6% above $3 million. On top of that, Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (ABSD) for a Permanent Resident is 5% on a first residential property, and 30% on a second or subsequent property.
Worked example on $1.5 million
| Item | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer's Stamp Duty | Tiered | $44,600 |
| Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty (1st property, PR) | 5% | $75,000 |
| Total stamp duty | $119,600 |
Figures for illustration on a $1.5 million purchase. Confirm the exact tiered BSD calculation and current ABSD rate with IRAS before committing.
Why PRs pay less than foreigners but more than citizens
A Singapore Citizen pays 0% ABSD on a first property, a PR pays 5%, and a foreigner pays 60%. The PR rate sits deliberately between the two, reflecting a stake in the country without full citizen treatment.
What changes on a second property
A PR's ABSD jumps sharply to 30% on a second or subsequent property, the same rate a Singapore Citizen pays only on a third property. A PR's second purchase is taxed far more heavily than a citizen's equivalent second purchase, which sits at 20%.
Frequently asked questions
Does a PR pay ABSD on every property purchase?
Yes, PRs pay ABSD from the very first property, at 5%, unlike Singapore Citizens who pay 0% ABSD on a first property. There is no PR ABSD exemption.
What happens if a PR buys a second property?
The ABSD rate jumps sharply to 30%, the same rate a Singapore Citizen pays only on a third property, so a PR's second purchase is taxed much more heavily than a citizen's second purchase, which is 20%.
A PR planning a property purchase?
Winfred confirms your exact ABSD tier and runs the full stamp duty stack before you sign anything.
Book a free 30 minute callWinfred Quek is an Associate Marketing Consultant at Crestbrick Pte Ltd (CEA Licence No. L31010886H). CEA R073319H. This page is for general information only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Rates and rules reflect the position as at 5 Aug 2026; verify current figures with IRAS, HDB, or MAS before making any decision.