A worked example
A £350,000 property with a 15% deposit at 5.5% over 25 years comes to a repayment of about £1,826.91 a month. For a standard (non-first-time) buyer, Stamp Duty on that purchase comes to exactly £7,500.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Stamp Duty calculated in bands rather than one flat rate?
SDLT works like income tax brackets — each slice of the price is taxed at its own rate, not the whole price at the highest rate that applies. A £500,000 home only has its portion above £250,000 taxed at 5%, for instance, not the full amount.
How much does being a first-time buyer actually save?
First-time buyers pay no SDLT at all on the first £300,000 of a property valued up to £500,000 — a meaningful saving compared to standard rates, which start taxing at just £125,000. Above £500,000, no first-time buyer relief applies at all.
Does this cover Scotland or Wales?
No — Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT), both with different bands than England and Northern Ireland's SDLT used here.
This calculator provides estimates for general informational purposes only and is not financial advice. SDLT rates reflect bands in effect since April 2025 and may change at future Budgets — confirm with HMRC's official calculator before completion.