How much Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD) do I pay when buying property in Hong Kong?

For instruments executed on or after 26 February 2026 for the acquisition of property, residential property (Scale 1 Part 1 and Scale 2) rates range from $100 at HK$4,000,000 or below, progressing to 6.5% above HK$109 million; non-residential property (Scale 3) is capped at 4.25% with no 6.5% band. Marginal relief applies between bands to avoid a sharp jump in duty when the value slightly exceeds a threshold. Actual duty is assessed by the Stamp Office. Source: Inland Revenue Department, accessed 13 July 2026.

How is stamp duty calculated for a residential tenancy in Hong Kong?

Rates are tiered by lease term: for an indefinite term or a term not exceeding one year, 0.25% of the yearly rent or total rent; for a term exceeding one year but not exceeding three years, 0.5% of the yearly rent; for a term exceeding three years, 1% of the yearly rent. Amounts are rounded up to the nearest $100, plus a $5 duplicate stamping fee per counterpart. Both landlord and tenant are jointly liable in law for the duty; in practice the cost is usually split evenly, though this isn't mandated by law and follows the tenancy agreement's terms. Stamping must occur within 30 days of signing. Source: Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117) Schedule 1 and the Inland Revenue Department, accessed 13 July 2026.

Tax Reference · Stamp Duty

Hong Kong Stamp Duty Guide

Buying and leasing property both involve stamp duty, and the rate tables are usually spread across separate official documents — easy to mix up. Below combines Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (residential/non-residential) with tenancy stamp duty on one page, matched against the latest IRD publication for quick reference.

Buying Property: Ad Valorem Stamp Duty (AVD)

AVD is charged progressively on the "consideration or value" (whichever is higher). Scale 1 Part 1 and Scale 2 apply to residential property; Scale 3 applies to non-residential property (car parking spaces, shops, offices, etc.). The rates below apply to instruments executed for the acquisition of property on or after 26 February 2026.

Residential Property — Scale 1 Part 1 & Scale 2

Exceeds (HKD)	Does Not Exceed (HKD)	Duty / Rate
—	4,000,000	$100
4,000,000	4,323,780	$100 + 20% of the amount exceeding $4,000,000
4,323,780	4,500,000	1.5%
4,500,000	4,935,480	$67,500 + 10% of the amount exceeding $4,500,000
4,935,480	6,000,000	2.25%
6,000,000	6,642,860	$135,000 + 10% of the amount exceeding $6,000,000
6,642,860	9,000,000	3%
9,000,000	10,080,000	$270,000 + 10% of the amount exceeding $9,000,000
10,080,000	20,000,000	3.75%
20,000,000	21,739,120	$750,000 + 10% of the amount exceeding $20,000,000
21,739,120	100,000,000	4.25%
100,000,000	109,574,470	$4,250,000 + 30% of the amount exceeding $100,000,000
109,574,470	—	6.5%

Non-Residential Property — Scale 3

Exceeds (HKD)	Does Not Exceed (HKD)	Duty / Rate
—	4,000,000	$100
4,000,000	4,323,780	$100 + 20% of the amount exceeding $4,000,000
4,323,780	4,500,000	1.5%
4,500,000	4,935,480	$67,500 + 10% of the amount exceeding $4,500,000
4,935,480	6,000,000	2.25%
6,000,000	6,642,860	$135,000 + 10% of the amount exceeding $6,000,000
6,642,860	9,000,000	3%
9,000,000	10,080,000	$270,000 + 10% of the amount exceeding $9,000,000
10,080,000	20,000,000	3.75%
20,000,000	21,739,120	$750,000 + 10% of the amount exceeding $20,000,000
21,739,120	—	4.25%

Marginal relief: The "flat amount + % of the excess" arrangement between bands exists to prevent a sharp jump in duty when a property's value only slightly exceeds a threshold. New for 2026: the top band for residential property (Scale 1 Part 1 & Scale 2) above HK$109 million rose from 4.25% to 6.5%; non-residential property (Scale 3) is unaffected, staying capped at 4.25%. Transactions involving corporate ownership, non-first-time buyers, or back-to-back deals may be treated differently by the IRD — actual duty is assessed by the Stamp Office. Source: Inland Revenue Department; accessed 13 July 2026.

Leasing Property: Tenancy Stamp Duty

Parties to a tenancy agreement must pay stamp duty under Schedule 1 of the Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117 of the Laws of Hong Kong). Rates are tiered by lease length, calculated on the yearly or average yearly rent (or total rent for the term); amounts under $100 are rounded up to $100.

Lease Term	Stamp Duty Rate
Indefinite or unspecified term	0.25% of yearly or average yearly rent
Not exceeding one year	0.25% of total rent for the term
Exceeding one year but not exceeding three years	0.5% of yearly or average yearly rent
Exceeding three years	1% of yearly or average yearly rent

Duplicate stamping: Each counterpart of a tenancy agreement incurs an additional HK$5 stamping fee
Who pays: Both landlord and tenant are jointly liable in law for the duty; in practice the cost is usually split evenly, though this isn't mandated by law and follows the tenancy agreement's terms
Deadline: Tenancy agreements must be stamped within 30 days of signing — late stamping incurs a penalty; an unstamped tenancy agreement is not admissible as evidence in civil proceedings
Deposits: Rental deposits are generally not included in the rent base used to calculate stamp duty

Source: Stamp Duty Ordinance (Cap. 117 of the Laws of Hong Kong), Schedule 1, and the Inland Revenue Department; accessed 13 July 2026. The actual stamp duty for any individual tenancy agreement is assessed by the Stamp Office.

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This page is for general reference only and does not constitute tax or legal advice of any kind. Stamp duty rates, the scope of each scale, and marginal relief arrangements are subject to change — please refer to the latest IRD publications; the actual duty for any individual instrument is assessed by the Stamp Office. The Company makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy, completeness, and/or fitness for any particular purpose of this information.

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Henry Chan 陳鴻偉 | Estate Agent (Salesperson) Licence S-637957
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