Remission of ABSD for married couples.

One of the most asked questions I get from married couples: Can we get ABSD remission? Here’s what you really need to know before making your next property move.

For a married couple in Singapore seeking remission of the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) on the joint purchase of a second residential property, the following conditions must be met:

Key Eligibility Criteria for Remission of ABSD:

1. Singapore Citizen spouse requirement:

   At least one spouse must be a Singapore Citizen (SC).

   The property must be purchased under both spouses’ names only.

2. Ownership limits at purchase:

   The couple must not own more than one residential property each at the date of purchasing the second property.

3. ABSD payment and refund process:

   ABSD must be paid upfront on the second property. Refund eligibility is contingent on meeting all conditions.

4. Sale timeline for the first property:

   For uncompleted properties (BUC), the first property must be sold within 6 months after the earlier of:

   1. The Temporary Occupation Permit (TOP) issue date, or

   2. The Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC) issue date.

In simple terms: Once your new home is ready to move in or officially completed—whichever comes first—you’ve got 6 months to sell your old home if you want to get your ABSD refunded.

5. Marital and ownership continuity:

   The couple must remain married with no change in ownership of the second property at the time of selling the first property.

6. No additional property purchases:

   The couple must not acquire any other residential properties between purchasing the second property and selling the first.

7. Refund application deadline:

   The ABSD refund application must be submitted within 6 months after the sale of the first property.

Important Considerations

• The 6-month sale timeline is strict, and extensions are generally not granted. Couples are advised to secure a buyer for their first property before purchasing the second to avoid penalties.

• Failure to meet any condition will result in the ABSD refund being denied.

These rules apply to married couples with at least one Singaporean spouse and are designed to prevent speculative property accumulation while supporting genuine housing needs.

Thinking of upgrading or buying your next home as a couple? Don’t let ABSD confusion hold you back. Reach out for a quick, no-pressure chat—I’ll help you make sense of it all.

For more information, click here.