Remission of ABSD for a Married Couple

Source: IRAS

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A married couple may be eligible for ABSD remission on the purchase of a residential property if the remission conditions under the Stamp Duties (Spouses) (Remission of ABSD) Rules are met.

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On 6 May 2020, in view of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government announced an extension of the ABSD Spouses Remission sale timeline by 6 months for Singaporean married couples, subject to conditions.

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A. Joint Purchase by a Married Couple who does not own any Residential Property

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Full ABSD remission may be applicable to a married couple who purchases a residential property jointly. The couple must include a Singapore Citizen (SC) spouse and the property must be purchased under both names of the couple only. In addition, both the spouses must not own any residential property. Scenarios with full remission are denoted with “#” in Table 2 and Table 3 of ABSD Rates and Remissions for Married Couples 

Both BSD and ABSD are payable upon stamping. However, if you meet eligibility conditions, you can apply for this ABSD remission instead of making ABSD payment.

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How to Apply

Your legal representative can e-Stamp via the e-Stamping Portal to obtain the remission certificate.

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B. Joint Purchase of Second Residential Property by a Married Couple

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ABSD remission may be applicable to a married couple who purchases a second residential property jointly, if the remission conditions are met. The couple must include a Singapore Citizen and the property must be purchased under both names of the couple only. The conditions under the Stamp Duties (Spouses) (Remission of ABSD) Rules are as follows:

1. The married couple did not own interest in more than one residential property at the date of purchase of the second residential property.

2. ABSD has been paid on the second residential property.

3. The first residential property (co-owned or separately owned) is sold within 6 months after

   • the date of purchase1 of the second property for completed property or

   • the issue date of the Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) / Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC), whichever is earlier, if the property was uncompleted at the time of purchase

4. The married couple remains married and there is no change of ownership in the second residential property at the time of sale of the first residential property.

5. The married couple has not purchased or acquired any other residential property since the purchase of the second residential property.

6. The application for refund of ABSD is made within 6 months after the date of sale2 of the first residential property. 
   
    

For the eligibility criteria, please see the last column of Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 of ABSD Rates and Remission for Married Couples