Interpreting a property-tax estimate across the UK
The same price does not mean the same tax
Using the displayed standard residential bands, a £300,000 purchase has £5,000 SDLT in England or Northern Ireland, £4,500 LTT in Wales and £4,600 LBTT in Scotland. These examples assume no additional-property charge and no relief. The tax is marginal: each rate applies to its own slice of the price, not to the full purchase price.
First-time buyer is a legal definition
A buyer who has owned residential property before, including abroad, may not qualify even if this is their first UK purchase. Joint purchases need the relevant eligibility conditions checked for all purchasers. England and Northern Ireland use a purchase-price cap for relief; Scotland raises the nil-rate threshold without the same cap, while Wales has no separate first-time buyer relief. Selecting a checkbox does not establish eligibility.
When to use an official calculation instead
Leasehold rent, shared ownership, companies, mixed-use property, non-resident surcharges and linked transactions can require different treatment. The Welsh additional-property estimate is an approximation, not its full higher-rate band calculation. A tax return can be required even when no payment is due. Confirm liability, deadlines and any refund eligibility with your conveyancer and the appropriate tax authority before completion.
Further reading: GOV.UK — Stamp Duty Land Tax. Examples are illustrations using stated inputs, not quotes or personal recommendations.
See our method and limitations or report a correction.