⚠ Non-HK-PR Buyers Pay an Extra 15% BSD. Declare Your Status Correctly.
Non-Hong Kong permanent residents pay BSD at 15% on top of AVD when purchasing any residential property. For a typical HKM flat, BSD alone is HK,200,000. Incorrectly declaring HK-PR status when purchasing under Scale 2 — when you own another residential property — constitutes a mis-declaration with severe penalties. Company-owned properties always pay BSD at 15% regardless of the director's residency status.
常見挑戰
Residency Status Mis-Declaration
Declaring yourself a first-time buyer under Scale 2 when you or your spouse already own HK residential property triggers Scale 1 assessment with severe penalties.
⚠ Risk: Scale 1 vs Scale 2 difference on HKM property = HK.1M+
Purchasing via a Company — Missing 15% BSD
Company-owned residential property attracts 15% BSD in addition to AVD — regardless of the shareholder's personal residency status. Many investors are unaware.
⚠ Risk: 15% BSD on HKM flat = HK0,000 unexpected
Selling Within 24 Months — SSD Not Planned
Life events sometimes force a sale within 24 months. SSD at 10% on a HKM property is HK0,000. Early-stage planning can prevent or mitigate this.
⚠ Risk: HK0,000 SSD on HKM property sold at month 18
Spousal Transfer Without Advice
Transferring property between spouses to reset first-time buyer status can trigger full AVD plus penalties if not structured correctly under the Stamp Duty Ordinance.
⚠ Risk: Unexpected AVD assessment plus penalties
適合對象
First-time home buyers
Navigating Scale 2 duty correctly, confirming eligibility, avoiding declarations that could trigger Scale 1 assessment, and understanding BSD exemptions.
Upgraders & second property buyers
Scale 1 AVD applies to your next purchase — but careful timing and transaction structuring can manage the duty burden significantly.
Overseas buyers & expats
BSD at 15% is a significant consideration. We advise on whether obtaining HK permanent residency before purchase is feasible and model total duty costs.
Property investors (multiple properties)
SSD holding period planning, AVD Scale 1 cost modelling for each acquisition, and structuring advice for portfolios.
我們的服務
Pre-Transaction Duty Calculation
Before you sign any Agreement for Sale, we calculate the exact stamp duty payable under all applicable heads — AVD, BSD, and SSD.
Done within 24 hours for urgent transactions
Residency Status & Eligibility Review
We review your residency status, existing property ownership, and spousal positions to determine your correct duty classification.
Critical for any buyer claiming Scale 2 or BSD exemption
Ownership Structure Advice
Individual vs joint, company vs personal, trust structures — we model stamp duty implications of each for your specific transaction.
Modelled before agreement signing — impossible to change after
SSD Holding Period Planning
We calculate exact SSD liability at each possible sale date and advise whether delaying beyond the 24-month threshold is financially advantageous.
Exact SSD calculation at every possible exit date
Stamp Duty Remission Applications
Where duty has been incorrectly assessed or a remission ground exists, we prepare and submit a formal remission application to the Collector of Stamp Revenue.
Average remission recovery: HK0,000–HK0,000
服務流程
Pre-Transaction Consultation (Before Signing)
2–4 weeks before signingBefore you sign any Agreement for Sale, we review property details, residency/ownership status, and proposed transaction structure to calculate all applicable duties.
Duty Calculation & Scenario Modelling
24–48 hoursWe calculate stamp duty under all scenarios — different ownership structures, transaction timings, and exit assumptions — and present a clear total cost table.
Declaration Preparation & Documentation
5 working daysWe prepare all required statutory declarations for the Stamp Office — residency, first-time buyer, BSD exemption claims — with accurate supporting documentation.
Assessment & Remission (Where Applicable)
Ongoing to resolutionWe submit documentation to the Stamp Office, manage the assessment process, and file remission applications where the assessed duty exceeds what is legally correct.
成功案例
First-Time Buyer — Incorrectly Assessed BSD Remission
- •HK permanent resident purchasing first property at HK.5M
- •Stamp Office assessed BSD at 15% due to overseas family trust interest
- •Technical representation: overseas property not "residential property" under HK definition
“The Stamp Office's initial assessment seemed definitive. TAX.hk's expertise saved HK0,000 I thought was lost.”
Property Investor — SSD Planning on 18-Month Exit
- •HKM flat purchased 16 months prior, planned sale at month 18
- •SSD at 10% = HK0,000 would eliminate entire capital gain
- •Advised to delay 8 months past 24-month threshold — SSD drops to zero
“TAX.hk showed me 8 more months would save HK0,000 — the best 8-month wait of my life.”
常見問題
What stamp duty applies to a first-time HK buyer?
A Hong Kong permanent resident purchasing their first residential property pays AVD at Scale 2 rates — ranging from HK0 on properties up to HKM to 4.25% on properties above HK.739M. BSD does not apply to HK-PR first-time buyers. SSD does not apply at purchase (only on resale within 24 months).
What is BSD and who must pay it?
Buyer's Stamp Duty is a flat 15% duty payable on residential property purchases by non-Hong Kong permanent residents and all companies (regardless of incorporation jurisdiction). BSD is payable on top of AVD. For a HKM flat purchased by a non-HK-PR, BSD alone is HK,200,000.
What is SSD and when does it apply?
Special Stamp Duty applies when residential property is resold within 24 months of acquisition. Under post-October 2023 rules: 10% if sold within 24 months. After 24 months, SSD no longer applies. SSD is calculated on the higher of the sale price or market value.
Can I avoid BSD by obtaining HK permanent residency first?
Yes — HK permanent residents purchasing their first residential property are exempt from BSD. You must have obtained HK-PR status before the date of the Agreement for Sale. The stamp duty saving can be HK0,000–HK,000,000 on typical HK properties.
Does stamp duty apply to commercial property the same way?
No. Commercial and non-residential properties are not subject to BSD or SSD. Commercial property has its own AVD scale with typically lower rates. Lease stamp duty also applies to commercial leases at approximately 0.25% per annum of annual rent.
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