Taxation Cheat Sheet for RES Exam Revision

This Taxation cheat sheet provides a high-density summary of BSD, ABSD, SSD, and Property Tax rates required for Paper 2 of the RES exam. Candidates must master these specific percentages and thresholds to reach the 75% passing mark (60 out of 80 questions) across both papers. Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) is mandatory for all property purchases in Singapore, calculated on the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher. For residential properties, the rates are progressive: 1% on the first $180,000, 2% on the next $180,000, 3% on the next $640,000, 4% on the next $500,000, 5% on the next $1,500,000, and 6% on any amount exceeding $3,000,000. Non-residential property rates differ, topping out at 5% for amounts above $1,500,000. For RES exam candidates, this topic falls under Taxation in Paper 2. You can practice questions on this in the Prepare app. Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) is a tax on documents relating to the purchase of property in Singapore, calculated based on the purchase price or market value, whichever is higher, using progressive rates that currently peak at 6% for residential properties valued above $3 million.

ABSD is a critical component of Singapore’s cooling measures and a frequent source of calculation questions in the RES exam. As of 2026, the rates depend strictly on the buyer's residency status and the number of residential properties owned. Singapore Citizens (SC) pay 0% on their first property, 20% on the second, and 30% on the third or subsequent. Permanent Residents (PR) pay 5% on their first, 30% on the second, and 35% on the third. Foreigners face a flat rate of 60% on any residential property purchase, while Entities and Housing Developers pay 65% (with potential remission for developers under specific conditions). Understanding these tiers is essential for Taxation revision notes. Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) is an extra tax applied to residential property purchases in Singapore based on the buyer's profile and the number of properties owned, with rates as high as 60% for foreigners and 65% for entities as of 2026.

The Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) is designed to curb short-term speculation. It applies to residential properties and industrial properties, though the rates and durations differ. For residential property, the SSD holding period is three years. If a property is sold within the first year of acquisition, the rate is 12%; within the second year, 8%; and within the third year, 4%. No SSD is payable if the property is sold after three years. The date of acquisition and disposal is usually the date of the Option to Purchase (OTP) or the Sale and Purchase Agreement. This is a common area for 'trick' questions regarding dates. You can find more details in our Taxation summary RES exam guide. Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) applies to residential properties sold within a three-year holding period from the date of acquisition, with tiered rates of 12%, 8%, and 4% respectively for each year, designed to curb short-term property flipping and stabilize the market.

Property Tax is an asset tax, not an income tax, and is calculated based on the Annual Value (AV). The AV is the estimated gross annual rent the property could fetch if it were rented out. There are two distinct tax structures: Owner-Occupier tax rates and Non-Owner-Occupier tax rates. Owner-occupier rates are significantly lower and progressive, starting at 0% for the first $8,000 of AV. Non-owner-occupied residential properties (investment properties) are taxed at higher progressive rates ranging from 12% to 36% as of 2026. Commercial and industrial properties are taxed at a flat rate of 10% of the AV. Candidates should refer to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) for the most current AV bands. Property Tax in Singapore is calculated by multiplying the Annual Value (AV) of the property—the estimated annual rent it could fetch—by the prevailing tax rate, which differs significantly between owner-occupied residential properties and non-owner-occupied or investment properties.

GST is a broad-based consumption tax. In the context of real estate, the most important rule to memorize is the distinction between residential and non-residential properties. The sale and lease of residential properties are exempt from GST. However, the sale and lease of non-residential (commercial and industrial) properties are subject to GST at the prevailing rate, which is 9% in 2026. If a property has mixed-use (e.g., a shop-house with a residential upper floor), GST is only applicable to the non-residential portion. Real estate agency commissions are also subject to GST if the agency is a GST-registered entity. This is a staple topic in Taxation quick reference materials. Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the prevailing rate of 9% is applicable to the sale and lease of non-residential properties in Singapore, whereas all residential properties are specifically exempted from GST under the prevailing tax framework administered by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).

This table summarizes the key differences between BSD and ABSD for quick comparison during your Taxation summary RES exam revision.

For RES exam candidates, understanding these distinctions is vital for Paper 2. You can practice 116 specific Taxation questions in the Prepare app to test your knowledge of these tables. According to the CEA Annual Report 2025, the RES exam pass rate remains competitive at approximately 45%, highlighting the need for precise memorization of these tax tables.

Q: What is the RES exam passing score? A: You must achieve 75% (60/80 marks) across Paper 1 and Paper 2. Q: What is the current RES exam registration fee? A: In 2026, the fee is S$408.55 inclusive of GST. Q: Does SSD apply to HDB flats? A: Yes, but since HDB flats have a Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) of 5 years, the 3-year SSD period usually expires before the owner is legally allowed to sell. Q: Are there exemptions for ABSD? A: Yes, under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), nationals or PRs of certain countries (e.g., USA, Switzerland) may be treated the same as Singapore Citizens. These questions are common in Taxation revision notes. According to CEA's 2026 data, there are over 33,000 registered property agents in Singapore, all of whom had to master these taxation rules to pass their qualifying examinations.

When tackling taxation questions in Paper 2, always identify the buyer's profile and the property type first. Misidentifying a PR as a Foreigner or a commercial property as residential will lead to the wrong tax calculation. Remember that Stamp Duty must be paid within 14 days of signing the document (if signed in Singapore) or 30 days (if signed overseas). Late payment can result in penalties of up to 4 times the original duty. As of 2026, the RES exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT), allowing for faster result processing. Focus your Taxation cheat sheet efforts on the 116 practice questions available in the Prepare app to ensure you are ready for the specific MCQ formats used by CEA. The Real Estate Salesperson (RES) Examination is administered by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) and requires candidates to complete an approved course before sitting for the two-paper, 2.5-hour assessment which covers 13 major real estate topics.