Stamp Duty Rates in Ireland

Stamp Duty is a tax the government charges on buying property. There are different stamp duty rates for first time buyers, owner occupiers and property investors.

• First Time Buyers are exempt from paying stamp duty on both new and second hand property.
  
  
• Owner Occupiers are charged stamp duty on second hand homes and on larger new homes (over 125 sq. metres) - see below for more details.
  
  
• Property Investors are charged the same rates on new and second hand homes.
  
  
• Commercial Property (e.g. shops, offices etc) stamp duty is charged at 9% on all properties over €150,000.

Stamp Duty Rates on Second Hand Property:

No Stamp Duty is charged on the first €125,000, 7% is charged from €125,000 to €1,000,000 and 9% will be paid on the balance.

So for example, on a €700,000 property:

• No stamp on the first €125,000
• 7% on the balance of €575,000 = €40,250
• Before Budget 2008, stamp duty would have been €63,000

Important Notes:

• First Time Buyers must use the property as their main residence for a period of two years to benefit from the exemption.
• The stamp duty relief will be clawed back if this condition is broken. 
• On New Properties larger than 125 sq. metres a reduced rate is charged for owner occupiers: The stamp duty is payable on the greater of:
  (a) the site cost or (b) 25% of the total cost (site cost + building costs)