🏠 Property · Stamp Duties · Sub-Silo 1 · Tool #6

Mortgage Duty Calculator Singapore 2026
S$500 Fixed Cap — HDB & Private Property Home Loans, Refinancing & Equity Term Loans

Calculate mortgage duty (stamp duty on your home loan mortgage document) in Singapore. For all qualifying property loans above S$125,000 — which covers virtually every Singapore home loan — mortgage duty is fixed at S$500 regardless of loan size. Whether you borrow S$300,000 or S$3,000,000, the mortgage duty is S$500. This calculator confirms the S$500 cap, contextualises it against your BSD, and models refinancing scenarios where a second S$500 duty applies.

✓ S$500 Fixed Cap Confirmed ✓ HDB, Private & Commercial Loans ✓ Purchase vs Refinancing Context ✓ BSD + Mortgage Duty Total ✓ Dual-Axis Context Chart
Mortgage DutyS$500 (capped)
Rate0.4% (up to cap)
Cap ThresholdLoans > S$125K
Pay By14 Days
RefinancingNew S$500
🏠 Mortgage Duty Inputs
S$

Enter the total principal loan amount from your bank or HDB. For loans of S$125,000 or less: mortgage duty = 0.4% of loan. For loans above S$125,000 (virtually all Singapore property loans): mortgage duty is capped at S$500 regardless of the loan amount. A S$200,000 HDB loan and a S$3,000,000 jumbo bank loan both attract S$500 in mortgage duty.

The loan type affects which bank or institution executes the mortgage document. All types attract the same S$500 mortgage duty cap. For HDB concessionary loans: HDB itself executes the charge and handles stamping internally. For bank loans: the bank’s solicitor stamps the mortgage document on your behalf.

Each new mortgage document (including refinancing) attracts a new S$500 mortgage duty. If you refinance your S$800,000 mortgage from Bank A to Bank B, the new mortgage with Bank B triggers a fresh S$500 stamp duty. Over a 30-year home loan with two refinancing events, total mortgage duty = S$1,500 (S$500 × 3).

S$

Optionally enter the property price to see BSD alongside mortgage duty — showing how the fixed S$500 mortgage duty compares in size to the much larger BSD. This puts the S$500 mortgage duty in proper financial context.

🏠 Mortgage Duty Analysis
🏠

Enter your home loan amount to confirm mortgage duty. For loans above S$125,000, mortgage duty is always S$500 — a fixed cost regardless of loan size. Optionally enter property price to see BSD + mortgage duty combined total.

Mortgage Duty (green, left) vs BSD context (red, right) — by Loan Scenario

Mortgage Duty Singapore 2026 — S$500 Fixed Cap, What It Covers & Why It Matters for Refinancing

Mortgage duty is the stamp duty payable on the mortgage document — the legal instrument that creates a charge over your property as security for the home loan. In Singapore, every home loan (whether from a bank or from HDB) requires a mortgage document to be executed, and this document must be stamped with IRAS within 14 days of execution. The mortgage duty is entirely separate from BSD (which is on the property purchase) and rental stamp duty (on tenancy agreements). The key feature that makes mortgage duty straightforward in Singapore: for any property loan of S$125,000 or more — which covers virtually every Singapore property loan — the duty is capped at S$500 regardless of the loan size. A first-time buyer taking a S$500,000 HDB bank loan pays S$500. A luxury condo buyer taking a S$2,000,000 jumbo loan pays exactly the same S$500. The S$500 cap makes mortgage duty one of the most predictable property transaction costs in Singapore.

Mortgage Duty Calculation — When the Cap Applies

Loan Amount0.4% of LoanCap Applies?Mortgage Duty Payable
S$50,000S$200NoS$200
S$100,000S$400NoS$400
S$125,000S$500Yes (exactly at cap)S$500
S$300,000S$1,200Yes — cappedS$500
S$800,000S$3,200Yes — cappedS$500
S$2,000,000S$8,000Yes — cappedS$500

Mortgage Duty vs BSD — Putting S$500 in Context

🏠 S$800K Property Purchase

BSD: S$18,600 • Mortgage Duty: S$500 • Total: S$19,100. Mortgage duty is just 2.7% of the BSD — a minor closing cost that buyers often overlook in their property budget planning.

🏠 S$1.5M Property Purchase

BSD: S$44,600 • Mortgage Duty: S$500 • Total: S$45,100. At S$1.5M, mortgage duty is barely 1.1% of BSD. Despite the loan growing, mortgage duty stays S$500 forever.

How This Mortgage Duty Calculator Works — Cap Confirmation, BSD Context & Refinancing Scenario

Step 1 — Enter Loan Amount and Type

Enter the principal loan amount. The calculator instantly applies the 0.4% rate and confirms whether the S$500 cap kicks in. Select loan type (HDB bank loan, HDB concessionary, private property bank loan, commercial) and purpose (purchase, refinancing, equity term loan) for accurate context.

Step 2 — See BSD + Mortgage Duty Combined

Optionally enter the property purchase price to see BSD calculated alongside the S$500 mortgage duty — revealing the true proportion of mortgage duty in the total stamp duty picture. The dual-axis bar chart shows mortgage duty (green, left axis, fixed at S$500) against BSD (red, right axis, much larger) for six standard loan scenarios.

Step 3 — Refinancing Impact

The results panel always shows the refinancing context: each refinancing of a Singapore mortgage triggers a new S$500 stamp duty on the new mortgage document. Over a 30-year owner-occupier lifecycle with 2 refinancings, total mortgage duty paid = S$1,500 across three mortgage documents.

3 Real Singapore Mortgage Duty Examples — HDB First Home, Private Condo & Refinancing

HDB Flat, S$380K Bank Loan

Loan amountS$380,000
0.4% uncappedS$1,520
Cap appliesYes
Mortgage dutyS$500
BSD (S$550K HDB)S$11,100
Total stamp dutiesS$11,600

Condo S$1M, S$750K Loan

Loan amountS$750,000
0.4% uncappedS$3,000
Mortgage dutyS$500
BSD (S$1M price)S$24,600
Total stamp dutiesS$25,100
MD as % of BSD2.0%

Refinancing S$600K Mortgage

Original mortgage dutyS$500 (paid)
New mortgage (refi)S$600,000
New mortgage dutyS$500
Interest saving (refi)~S$8,000/yr
Break-evenS$500 ÷ S$8K = 22 days
Refi verdictAlways worth it

3 Expert Mortgage Duty Tips — Refinancing Cost Myth, HDB Loan Stamping & Equity Term Loans

1

The S$500 Refinancing Cost Is Never a Reason to Stay With Your Current Bank

One of the most persistent myths in Singapore property finance is that “refinancing costs too much in stamp duty.” The full cost of refinancing a Singapore mortgage includes: S$500 mortgage duty on the new mortgage document, legal fees for the mortgage discharge and new mortgage (typically S$2,000–S$3,000 for a bank refinance), and potential lock-in penalty if refinancing during the bank’s lock-in period (usually 2–3 years). Total refinancing cost: approximately S$2,500–S$3,500 excluding any lock-in penalty. At a typical interest rate saving of 0.5–1.0% per year on a S$600,000 outstanding balance, the annual saving is S$3,000–S$6,000. Break-even: approximately 6–12 months. The S$500 mortgage duty is less than 20% of total refinancing cost — and both are almost always recovered in under 12 months of lower interest payments. Never delay refinancing because of the S$500 stamp duty.

2

HDB Concessionary Loan: HDB Handles Mortgage Stamping Internally — You Pay S$500 at Key Collection

For HDB concessionary loans (2.6% p.a., available to eligible SC buyers of HDB flats), the mortgage document is executed between the flat buyer and HDB as the lender. HDB handles the IRAS stamping process internally — the S$500 mortgage duty is typically collected from the buyer during the key collection appointment at HDB Hub. You do not need to separately arrange IRAS e-Stamping for an HDB concessionary loan. This differs from bank loans on HDB flats (where the bank’s appointed solicitors handle the mortgage stamping and add S$500 to their conveyancing invoice). For first-time buyers comparing HDB loan vs bank loan, the mortgage duty treatment is the same (S$500 in both cases) — the loan type does not change the stamp duty cost.

3

Equity Term Loan (ETL) Triggers a New S$500 Mortgage Duty — Not a Free Cash-Out

An Equity Term Loan (ETL), also called a cash-out refinancing or home equity loan, allows property owners to borrow against the equity in their property (the difference between market value and outstanding loan). When an ETL is taken out, a new mortgage document is executed — triggering a fresh S$500 mortgage duty. This applies whether the ETL is a completely new loan (on a fully paid property) or an increase in the existing mortgage amount. For property investors who routinely use ETLs to fund new property purchases: each ETL creates a new mortgage document at S$500 duty. A sophisticated investor with 3 investment properties and one ETL per property has paid S$2,000–S$2,500 in mortgage duty over their portfolio (S$500 per original purchase + S$500 per ETL). Factor this into your ETL cost-benefit analysis alongside the higher interest rate typically charged on ETL tranches.

16 FAQs — Mortgage Duty Singapore 2026, S$500 Cap, HDB Loans & Refinancing

What is mortgage duty in Singapore?+
Mortgage duty is the stamp duty payable on a mortgage document — the legal instrument that creates a charge (legal security) over Singapore immovable property as security for a loan. When you take a home loan from a bank or HDB, the bank or HDB registers a mortgage (charge) over your property title, giving the lender the right to sell the property if you default. This mortgage document must be stamped with IRAS within 14 days of execution. Mortgage duty is separate from Buyer’s Stamp Duty (which is on the property purchase transaction itself) and is a much smaller cost — capped at S$500 for all qualifying property loans above S$125,000.
Is mortgage duty always S$500?+
For all Singapore property loans above S$125,000: yes, mortgage duty is always exactly S$500 regardless of the loan amount. The mathematical cap: 0.4% × S$125,000 = S$500. For any loan above S$125,000, the cap applies. Since virtually all Singapore home loans exceed S$125,000 (even modest HDB loans are typically S$150,000–S$500,000+), mortgage duty is almost always a fixed S$500. The only exception is loans smaller than S$125,000, where mortgage duty = 0.4% of the loan amount (e.g., a S$100,000 loan: 0.4% × S$100,000 = S$400).
Is mortgage duty paid separately from BSD?+
Yes. BSD (Buyer’s Stamp Duty) and mortgage duty are two separate and distinct stamp duties: BSD is on the property purchase instrument (OTP/SPA — the transaction of buying the property); Mortgage Duty is on the mortgage document (the loan security instrument). Both must be paid, but they cover different legal documents. BSD is typically S$5,000–S$100,000+ depending on property price. Mortgage duty is always S$500 for standard loans. In practice, your conveyancing solicitor handles both as part of the overall property purchase closing process — both amounts will appear on the law firm’s completion statement.
Does refinancing trigger new mortgage duty?+
Yes. Every refinancing involves the discharge of the old mortgage and the execution of a new mortgage document with the new bank — which triggers a new S$500 mortgage duty. The original S$500 paid for the first mortgage is not refunded (mortgage duty is not a refundable amount). However, at S$500, mortgage duty is a minor cost in the context of refinancing — the total refinancing cost (legal fees S$2,000–S$3,000 + mortgage duty S$500) is recovered in interest savings within 6–12 months for most borrowers. Repricing (negotiating a new rate with the same bank without changing lenders) does not trigger mortgage duty as no new mortgage document is typically executed.
Who pays mortgage duty — the borrower or the bank?+
The borrower (buyer/mortgagor) pays mortgage duty. This is typically added to the conveyancing invoice from the borrower’s solicitors along with legal fees, BSD, and other transaction costs. The bank does not bear mortgage duty — it is the borrower’s cost. For HDB concessionary loans: HDB collects the S$500 mortgage duty from the flat buyer at the key collection appointment. For bank loans: the bank’s appointed conveyancing solicitors (or the borrower’s own solicitors) stamp the mortgage document and the S$500 is included in the closing cost statement.
Is there mortgage duty on an HDB concessionary loan?+
Yes. HDB concessionary loans (2.6% p.a. fixed rate, available to eligible SC and PR buyers of HDB flats who meet HDB’s income ceiling) also attract S$500 mortgage duty on the mortgage document. HDB handles the stamping internally — the S$500 is collected from the flat buyer during key collection at HDB Hub or HDB appointed solicitors. The amount is the same as for bank loans. One difference: HDB charges a flat S$500 even if the HDB loan amount is below S$125,000 — check with HDB for the specific handling of very small loan amounts.
Is there mortgage duty on a commercial property loan?+
Yes. Commercial property loans (for shophouses, offices, industrial units, retail) also attract mortgage duty at 0.4% of the loan, capped at S$500 for qualifying commercial property mortgages. Commercial property mortgages are not subject to ABSD (which only applies to residential property) but the S$500 mortgage duty applies similarly. For commercial property investors taking large loans (S$2M–S$10M), the S$500 mortgage duty is a trivially small closing cost compared to the BSD on the property purchase. The cap structure means whether you borrow S$500,000 or S$5,000,000 for a commercial property, mortgage duty is S$500.
Can CPF be used to pay mortgage duty?+
No. CPF OA cannot be used to pay mortgage duty. Mortgage duty must be paid in cash — it is a stamp duty on a legal document, not a property purchase payment. CPF OA can be used to pay BSD (on the property purchase) and for housing loan repayments — but not stamp duty on the mortgage document itself. Since S$500 is a trivially small amount relative to typical Singapore home loan sizes, this cash requirement is not a financial burden. The conveyancing law firm typically collects this amount as part of the closing funds required and remits it to IRAS.
When is mortgage duty paid — at purchase or when the loan is drawn down?+
Mortgage duty is payable within 14 days of the date the mortgage document is executed (signed by both borrower and lender/bank). For a property purchase: the mortgage is typically executed near completion of the property purchase — at or around the key collection date for resale properties, or progressively for new launches. For refinancing: the new mortgage is executed when the new bank registers their charge, typically at the same time the old mortgage is discharged. The mortgage duty is included in the conveyancing process managed by solicitors and is typically paid at completion.
Does mortgage duty apply to a loan extension or loan increase?+
If a loan extension or increase is effected via a new or supplemental mortgage document, stamp duty applies on the new or additional loan amount. For example: a property owner increases their loan from S$500,000 to S$700,000 via a Deed of Further Charge — the additional S$200,000 is the loan increase secured by the further charge. Stamp duty on the further charge = 0.4% × S$200,000 = S$800, but capped at S$500. If the same bank simply modifies the existing loan terms without executing a new mortgage document (informal increase via account modification), mortgage duty may not be triggered — confirm with your bank’s legal team whether a new instrument is being executed.
What is the difference between mortgage duty and conveyancing fees?+
Mortgage duty is a government tax paid to IRAS for stamping the mortgage document. Conveyancing fees are professional fees paid to the law firm that manages the property transaction — including registering the mortgage, transferring title, conducting searches, and communicating with the other party’s solicitors. Both appear on the completion statement from your solicitor. Typical breakdown for a S$800,000 HDB purchase with S$600,000 bank loan: BSD S$18,600 + Mortgage Duty S$500 + Legal Fees S$2,000–S$3,000 + Caveat filing S$64.45 + SLA fees. The mortgage duty (S$500) is a small fraction of total closing costs.
Is there stamp duty on a bridging loan?+
Bridging loans (short-term loans taken between the purchase of a new property and the sale of an existing property) may attract stamp duty if they are secured by a mortgage over property. If the bridging loan is secured by a charge over Singapore property, the same S$500 mortgage duty applies. If the bridging loan is unsecured (taken on the strength of the borrower’s creditworthiness alone, without a property charge), no mortgage duty applies. Most bank bridging loans in Singapore for property transactions are secured by a charge over the property being purchased or existing property — in which case S$500 applies. Some banks structure bridging loans as short-term personal credit lines without formal property charges to reduce transaction costs.
What happens if mortgage duty is not paid?+
An unstamped mortgage document is not admissible as evidence in Singapore courts and cannot be registered by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). Since registering the mortgage at SLA is essential for the bank to have a valid first legal charge over the property (which is their security for the loan), banks will not disburse the loan until the mortgage is properly executed and stamped. In practice, the bank’s solicitors or the borrower’s solicitors ensure mortgage stamping happens automatically as part of the legal completion process — mortgage duty is effectively never missed because the bank will not release funds without a properly stamped and registered mortgage.
Is there mortgage duty on a SORA-based home loan vs a fixed-rate loan?+
No. Mortgage duty is the same S$500 regardless of the interest rate structure of the underlying loan — whether SORA-pegged floating rate, bank board rate floating, fixed rate for 2–5 years, or any combination. The mortgage duty is assessed on the principal loan amount, not the interest rate or the total interest payable over the loan term. A SORA + 0.70% variable loan and a 2-year fixed rate 2.85% loan at the same principal amount attract identical S$500 mortgage duty. The choice between SORA and fixed rate affects your monthly repayment and total interest paid — not your stamp duty.
Does repricing (renegotiating rate with same bank) trigger new mortgage duty?+
Generally no. Repricing (renegotiating the interest rate with your existing bank, without switching to a new bank and without executing a new mortgage document) does not trigger new mortgage duty. The original mortgage document remains in place — the bank simply adjusts the interest rate on the existing loan account. Since no new mortgage instrument is executed, there is no stamp duty event. This is why some borrowers prefer repricing over refinancing when the interest rate difference is small — repricing has no mortgage duty cost and lower or zero legal fees, though it typically offers less negotiating leverage than refinancing (because you are not threatening to leave the bank).
Is there mortgage duty on a HDB loan for purchasing a flat under a non-citizen scheme?+
HDB concessionary loans are only available to Singapore Citizens. Permanent Residents and foreigners cannot take HDB concessionary loans — they must use bank loans for HDB flat purchases (PRs for HDB resale flats; foreigners cannot buy HDB flats directly under most schemes). For bank loans on HDB resale flats taken by PRs: the bank executes a standard mortgage document and S$500 mortgage duty applies via IRAS e-Stamping through the bank’s appointed solicitors — the same as any other bank mortgage. The mortgage duty does not vary by nationality — it is always S$500 for any qualifying Singapore property loan above S$125,000.
Legal Disclaimer & Editorial Transparency. Mortgage duty Singapore 2026: 0.4% of the principal loan amount, capped at S$500 for property loans above S$125,000. Cap applies to qualifying mortgages for purchase or refinancing of Singapore residential and commercial property. Payable within 14 days of mortgage document execution via IRAS e-Stamping (estamping.iras.gov.sg). Paid by the borrower. Each refinancing triggers new S$500 duty on the new mortgage document. Repricing with the same bank (no new instrument) does not trigger duty. CPF OA cannot be used for mortgage duty. Not all mortgage structures covered — verify at iras.gov.sg/mortgage. Not legal or financial advice. Operated by MAFHH INTERNATIONAL LTD.