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Stamp duty on UK purchase
As a French resident living in rented accommodation in France, owning no property either in France or the UK, what stamp duty is payable should I buy a property in the UK? Would I be liable for the increased level that foreign purchasers must pay? C.M.
Rates of UK stamp duty can be found on the HMRC website at gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax/residential-property-rates.
Up to £125,000 there is no tax, then there is 2% up to £250,000 (see the site for further bands and a duty calculator).
As a resident of France you would pay the same rates as a UK resident.
There is no specific higher rate for foreign purchasers, only a higher rate for those who already own property anywhere else in the world.
Those to whom the latter applies should visit gov.uk/guidance/stamp-duty-land-tax-buying-an-additional-residential-property.
Reader's query answered by Hugh MacDonald
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