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First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty Calculator 2025

Calculate your SDLT savings with first-time buyer relief

Calculate Your Stamp Duty

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First-Time Buyer Relief

As a first-time buyer in England or Northern Ireland, you pay no stamp duty on the first £425,000 of your property purchase. You only pay 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000.

  • Maximum saving: £11,250 compared to standard rates
  • Price limit: Properties over £625,000 don't qualify
  • Joint purchases: Both buyers must be first-time buyers

How Much Could You Save?

Property PriceStandard SDLTFTB RateYou Save
£300,000£2,500£0£2,500
£400,000£7,500£0£7,500
£425,000£8,750£0£8,750
£500,000£12,500£3,750£8,750
£625,000£18,750£10,000£8,750

Note: Properties over £625,000 do not qualify for first-time buyer relief and pay standard rates.

First-Time Buyer vs Standard Rates

First-Time Buyer Rates

BandRate
Up to £425,0000%
£425,001 to £625,0005%

Applies to properties up to £625,000 only

Standard Rates

BandRate
Up to £250,0000%
£250,001 to £925,0005%
£925,001 to £1.5m10%
Over £1.5m12%

Applies if you don't qualify for FTB relief

Example Calculations

Calculation Breakdown

England & NI (SDLT)First-Time Buyer

Property Price

£450,000

Up to £425,000

on £425,000

£0

£425,001 to £625,000

on £25,000

£1,250

Total Tax Due

£1,250

Effective rate: 0.28%

Calculation Breakdown

England & NI (SDLT)First-Time Buyer

Property Price

£600,000

Up to £425,000

on £425,000

£0

£425,001 to £625,000

on £175,000

£8,750

Total Tax Due

£8,750

Effective rate: 1.46%

Do You Qualify for First-Time Buyer Relief?

Check all that apply to confirm your eligibility:

If all boxes are checked, you likely qualify for first-time buyer relief. Always confirm with a solicitor.

First-Time Buyer Relief by Region

England & NI

  • • £0 tax up to £425,000
  • • 5% on £425,001-£625,000
  • • Max price: £625,000
  • • Max saving: £11,250

Scotland

  • • £0 tax up to £175,000
  • • Standard LBTT above
  • • No max price limit
  • • Max saving: £600

Wales

  • • No FTB relief
  • • Standard LTT rates apply
  • • Same as other buyers
  • • £0 saving

First-Time Buyer Stamp Duty Relief Explained

The UK government introduced first-time buyer stamp duty relief to help people get onto the property ladder. If you've never owned property before and you're buying your first home, you could save up to £11,250 in stamp duty compared to standard rates.

How the Relief Works

In England and Northern Ireland, first-time buyers pay no Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) on the first £425,000 of a property purchase. If the property costs between £425,001 and £625,000, you pay 5% on just the amount above £425,000.

Important: If your property costs more than £625,000, you don't get any first-time buyer relief at all. You pay the full standard rates on the entire purchase price.

Joint Purchases

If you're buying with someone else, both of you must be first-time buyers to claim the relief. If your partner has owned property before (even if they sold it years ago), neither of you can claim the relief.

Properties That Don't Qualify

  • Buy-to-let or investment properties
  • Properties over £625,000 in England/NI
  • Properties in Wales (no FTB relief available)
  • Properties you won't live in as your main home

Frequently Asked Questions

What is first-time buyer stamp duty relief?
First-time buyer relief means you pay no stamp duty on the first £425,000 of a property purchase in England and Northern Ireland. You then pay 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000. This relief can save you up to £11,250 compared to standard rates.
Who qualifies as a first-time buyer?
To qualify, you must never have owned a property or a share in a property anywhere in the world. This includes inherited properties. If you're buying jointly, BOTH buyers must be first-time buyers - if one person has owned property before, neither can claim the relief.
Is there a price limit for first-time buyer relief?
Yes. In England and NI, the property must cost £625,000 or less to qualify for any first-time buyer relief. If your property costs £625,001 or more, you pay standard stamp duty rates on the entire purchase - no relief applies at all.
Does first-time buyer relief apply in Scotland?
Yes, but with different thresholds. In Scotland, first-time buyers pay no LBTT on the first £175,000 (vs £145,000 for other buyers). There's no maximum property price limit in Scotland.
Does Wales offer first-time buyer relief?
No. Wales does not have specific first-time buyer relief for Land Transaction Tax (LTT). First-time buyers in Wales pay the same rates as everyone else.
Can I claim relief if I'm buying a buy-to-let as a first-time buyer?
No. First-time buyer relief only applies to properties you intend to live in as your main residence. Buy-to-lets and investment properties don't qualify, even if it's your first property purchase.

Related Calculators

Official Government Resources

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Stamp Duty Assistant

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