Stamp Duty UK 2026/27 — Rates, First-Time Buyer Relief and Second Homes

Land Transaction Tax Wales Explained — LTT Rates & Calculator

Complete guide to Land Transaction Tax Wales. Current LTT rates, how it differs from Stamp Duty, first-time buyer relief, and calculating your LTT bill.

Mortgage information is general guidance only. Mortgages are regulated by the FCA. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. Consult an FCA-regulated mortgage adviser before making decisions.

Land Transaction Tax (LTT) applies to property purchases in Wales. Here’s everything you need to know.

For the wider cluster covering SDLT, Scottish LBTT, first-time-buyer relief and additional-property tax rules, use the main Stamp Duty UK hub.

LTT vs Stamp Duty

Key Differences

FeatureWales (LTT)England (SDLT)
Starting threshold£225,000£250,000
First-time buyer reliefNoYes (up to £425k)
Additional property+4%+5%
Administered byWelsh Revenue AuthorityHMRC

Which Applies to You

LocationTax
Property in WalesLTT
Property in EnglandSDLT
Property in ScotlandLBTT
Where you liveDoesn’t matter — it’s where property is

Current LTT Rates (2025/26)

Main Residential Rates

Property Price BandLTT Rate
£0 - £225,0000%
£225,001 - £400,0006%
£400,001 - £750,0007.5%
£750,001 - £1,500,00010%
Over £1,500,00012%

Higher Rates (Additional Properties)

Property Price BandHigher Rate
£0 - £180,0004%
£180,001 - £250,0007.5%
£250,001 - £400,0009%
£400,001 - £750,00011.5%
£750,001 - £1,500,00014%
Over £1,500,00016%

Non-Residential/Mixed Use

Price BandRate
£0 - £225,0000%
£225,001 - £250,0001%
£250,001 - £1,000,0005%
Over £1,000,0006%

LTT Calculations

How It Works (Main Rates)

Purchase Price £300,000Calculation
First £225,000£0 (0%)
Next £75,000 (to £300k)£4,500 (6%)
Total LTT£4,500

More Examples

Property PriceTotal LTTAs % of Price
£200,000£00%
£225,000£00%
£250,000£1,5000.6%
£300,000£4,5001.5%
£350,000£7,5002.1%
£400,000£10,5002.6%
£450,000£14,2503.2%
£500,000£18,0003.6%

Higher Rates Examples (Second Homes/BTL)

Property PriceMain RateHigher RateDifference
£200,000£0£8,000+£8,000
£300,000£4,500£18,450+£13,950
£400,000£10,500£30,850+£20,350
£500,000£18,000£44,000+£26,000

First-Time Buyers in Wales

No Specific Relief

ImportantWales Has No FTB Relief
Unlike EnglandNo enhanced nil-rate band
Unlike ScotlandNo Additional Dwelling Supplement exemption
Main rates applyTo everyone

Why It May Not Matter Much

ComparisonWalesEngland (FTB)
£225,000 property£0 LTT£0 SDLT
£250,000 property£1,500 LTT£0 SDLT
£300,000 property£4,500 LTT£0 SDLT
£400,000 property£10,500 LTT£0 SDLT
£425,000 property£12,375 LTT£0 SDLT

Average Welsh House Prices

AreaAverage PriceLTT Due
Wales average~£215,000£0
Cardiff~£280,000£3,300
Swansea~£195,000£0
Newport~£235,000£600
Pembrokeshire~£245,000£1,200

Higher Rates Explained

When Higher Rates Apply

SituationHigher Rates?
Buying second homeYes
Buy-to-let purchaseYes
Company buying residentialYes
Replacing main residenceUsually no
First property everNo

Main Residence Replacement

RuleDetails
Buying before sellingHigher rates apply initially
Sell within 3 yearsClaim refund of extra
Refund claimWithin 12 months of selling

Claims and Refunds

SituationAction
Paid higher rates, now sold old homeClaim refund
Inherit property while buyingMay be exempt
Divorce/separationSpecial rules

Paying LTT

Timeline

EventDeadline
Complete purchaseDay 0
File returnWithin 30 days
Pay taxWithin 30 days
Land Registry registrationAfter LTT paid

How Payment Works

StepWho Does It
Calculate LTTSolicitor
File returnSolicitor
Collect from youSolicitor (at completion)
Pay WRASolicitor

Penalties for Late Payment

LatenessPenalty
1 day late£100
3 months lateAdditional £300
6 months late5% of tax due
12 months lateFurther 5%
PlusInterest charges

Exemptions and Reliefs

Fully Exempt Transactions

TransactionLTT Due
Property under £225,000 (residential)£0
InheritanceExempt
Gifts (usually)Exempt
Divorce/dissolution transfersExempt
Charity purchasesExempt

Partial Reliefs

ReliefConditions
Multiple dwellings relief3+ properties in one transaction
Group reliefCompany transfers
Charities reliefQualifying purposes

Welsh Revenue Authority

Contact Details

MethodDetails
Websitegov.wales/welsh-revenue-authority
Phone03000 254 000
PostWelsh Revenue Authority, Box 110, Pontypridd, CF37 9EH

Online Services

ServiceAvailable
LTT calculatorOnline at gov.wales
File returnsOnline for professionals
Check paymentWRA online services

Comparing to Other UK Nations

£300,000 Property

LocationTax Due
Wales (LTT)£4,500
England (SDLT)£2,500
England (FTB)£0
Scotland (LBTT)£4,600

£500,000 Property

LocationTax Due
Wales (LTT)£18,000
England (SDLT)£12,500
England (FTB)£3,750
Scotland (LBTT)£23,350

Summary

Key Points

PointDetail
Applies toProperty in Wales
Threshold£225,000
No FTB reliefUnlike England
Higher rates+4% for additional properties
Payment deadline30 days

Tax Rates Summary

BandMain RateHigher Rate
£0-225k0%4%
£225k-400k6%9%
£400k-750k7.5%11.5%
£750k-1.5m10%14%
Over £1.5m12%16%

Checklist

ActionDone?
Check property is in Wales (not England)
Calculate LTT due
Check if higher rates apply
Budget for payment at completion
Solicitor will arrange payment

aliases:

  • /mortgages/stamp-duty/land-transaction-tax-wales-guide/

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. PocketWise provides information and guidance — we do not offer financial advice. Seek independent mortgage advice before making decisions about borrowing.

You Might Also Find Useful

Sources

  1. FCA — Mortgages
  2. MoneyHelper — Buying a home