First Time Buyer Stamp Duty Calculator
Calculate your stamp duty savings with first-time buyer relief. Updated for January 2026 with the latest thresholds.
Your Results
Stamp Duty to Pay
£0
Effective tax rate: 0.00%
Standard Rate
£5,000
Your Savings
£5,000
Tax Breakdown
| Band | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| £0 - £300,000 | 0% | £0 |
| Total | £0 | |
£0 - £300,000
0%
£0
Total
£0
FTB vs Standard Rate Comparator
Enter any property price to see exactly how much first-time buyer relief saves you compared to standard SDLT rates. Above £500,000 the relief disappears entirely and you pay the same as everyone else.
Live FTB vs Standard Comparison
First-Time Buyer
£2,500
Standard Rate
£7,500
FTB Saving
£5,000
First-time buyer relief saves you £5,000 (1.43% of the purchase price).
What is First-Time Buyer Relief?
First-time buyer relief is a stamp duty discount available to people buying their first home. Since April 2025, first-time buyers pay significantly less than standard rates, with the following thresholds:
- 0% on the first £300,000 of the property price
- 5% on the portion between £300,001 and £500,000
If the property costs more than £500,000, you cannot claim first-time buyer relief and must pay standard rates on the entire purchase price. See our first-time buyer complete guide for full eligibility details.
FTB and Standard Rate Bands
The two rate structures sit side by side. The relief gives you a much larger nil-rate threshold, but only on properties up to £500,000.
FTB Rates (post-April 2025)
| Up to £300,000 | 0% |
| £300,001 – £500,000 | 5% |
| Above £500,000 | No relief |
Standard Rates
| Up to £125,000 | 0% |
| £125,001 – £250,000 | 2% |
| £250,001 – £925,000 | 5% |
| £925,001 – £1,500,000 | 10% |
| Over £1,500,000 | 12% |
Do You Qualify for FTB Relief?
You ARE eligible if:
- You have never owned a property anywhere in the world
- The property will be your main residence
- Property price is £500,000 or less
- You are buying as an individual (not a company)
You are NOT eligible if:
- You have previously owned property (even if inherited)
- Buying a buy-to-let or second home
- Property price exceeds £500,000
- Buying jointly with someone who has owned property
Savings at Common Property Prices
The maximum FTB saving is £5,000, achieved on any purchase between £300,000 and £500,000. Above £500,000 the relief disappears, creating a cliff edge worth thousands.
| Property Price | Standard Rate | FTB Rate | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| £200,000 | £1,500 | £0 | £1,500 |
| £250,000 | £2,500 | £0 | £2,500 |
| £300,000 | £5,000 | £0 | £5,000 |
| £350,000 | £7,500 | £2,500 | £5,000 |
| £400,000 | £10,000 | £5,000 | £5,000 |
| £450,000 | £12,500 | £7,500 | £5,000 |
| £500,000 | £15,000 | £10,000 | £5,000 |
| £550,000 * | £17,500 | £17,500 | £0 |
| £625,000 * | £21,250 | £21,250 | £0 |
* Above £500,000 first-time buyer relief is unavailable. Both buyers pay standard rates.
Swipe right →
Buying With a Partner?
If you're buying with someone else, the rules for first-time buyer relief depend on both buyers' history. You can compare these scenarios using our main stamp duty calculator:
- Both first-time buyers: You qualify for the full relief
- One has owned before: Neither of you qualifies - you must pay standard rates
This applies to joint purchases, marriages, and civil partnerships where you buy together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do first-time buyers save with FTB relief?
FTB relief saves you up to £5,000. On a £300,000 property, first-time buyers pay £0 versus £5,000 at standard rates. The same £5,000 saving applies on any purchase between £300,000 and £500,000. Below £300,000 the saving equals the standard SDLT bill that would otherwise apply (for example £2,500 at £250,000). Above £500,000 FTB relief is unavailable and there is no saving.
What is the £500,000 first-time buyer cliff edge?
At £500,000 a first-time buyer pays £10,000 in SDLT. At £501,000 they pay £15,050 because relief is lost entirely and standard rates apply to the whole purchase. That £1,000 increase in price triggers a £5,050 jump in stamp duty. If your offer is just above £500,000, negotiating it down to £500,000 typically saves more than £5,000.
Who qualifies for first-time buyer stamp duty relief?
You qualify if you have never owned a freehold or leasehold interest in a residential property anywhere in the world. The property must be your main residence, priced at £500,000 or less, and purchased by an individual rather than a company.
What happens if the property costs more than £500,000?
If the property price exceeds £500,000, first-time buyer relief is not available at all. You will pay standard SDLT rates on the entire purchase price, starting at 0% on the first £125,000.
Can I claim first-time buyer relief on a joint purchase?
Both buyers must be first-time buyers to claim the relief. If either person has previously owned property anywhere in the world, neither qualifies and you must pay standard rates on the entire purchase.
Is there first-time buyer relief in Scotland or Wales?
Scotland offers limited first-time buyer relief that raises the LBTT nil-rate threshold from £145,000 to £175,000, saving a maximum of £600. Wales does not have specific first-time buyer relief, but its £225,000 nil-rate threshold benefits all buyers.
What is the worldwide property ownership test?
HMRC checks whether you have ever owned residential property anywhere in the world, not just in the UK. This includes inherited properties, properties bought abroad, and any interest in a residential property. If you have owned property overseas, you do not qualify for first-time buyer relief.
Reviewed by
Emma Richardson, MRICS
Chartered Surveyor & Property Tax Specialist
Emma Richardson is a RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 12 years of experience in UK property taxation. She founded Calculate My Stamp Duty UK to help buyers understand the complex world of property transaction taxes.