Stamp Duty in Nigeria: Rates, Who Pays and Exemptions
A plain guide to stamp duty: what is charged, the main rates, who pays, how to stamp and what is exempt.
Based on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, in force from 1 January 2026.
In 30 seconds
Stamp duty is a tax on documents. Under Chapter Five of the Nigeria Tax Act, a dutiable document must be stamped within 30 days of signing (section 125).
An unstamped document cannot be used as evidence in a civil court (section 126). The rates are in the Ninth Schedule.
What stamp duty applies to
Duty is charged on instruments. An instrument is a document that creates or records a transaction, such as a deed, a lease or a loan agreement.
The duty applies to an instrument that is first signed in Nigeria. It also applies to one signed outside Nigeria that relates to property in Nigeria, or to something done in Nigeria (section 123).
The Act repeals the old Stamp Duties Act (section 195). Chapter Five and the Ninth Schedule now do its job.
Who pays
Section 125(2) says who is responsible for the duty.
- The transferee of an interest in real property. This excludes a voluntary disposition made during the transferor's lifetime.
- The beneficiary of a service for which payment was made.
- Any person taking security in a transaction for which an instrument is signed.
The Ninth Schedule names the paying party for each instrument. For a conveyance on sale, it is the transferee.
When and how to stamp
An instrument signed in Nigeria must be stamped no later than 30 days after execution. The person required to pay the duty does the stamping (section 125(1)).
Duty can be paid and shown in several ways (section 124).
- Tax stamps.
- A die.
- Electronic or digital tagging.
- An electronic receipt.
- A certificate.
- Any other means the relevant tax authority decides.
The Minister can add other modes by regulation published in the Gazette.
What happens if you do not stamp
An unstamped dutiable instrument is not admissible in any court, judicial or arbitration proceeding. It also cannot satisfy an evidentiary requirement, unless the Act says otherwise (section 126(1)).
There is one exception. An unstamped instrument may be given in evidence in a criminal proceeding (section 126(2)).
Stamp duty rates in Nigeria
The Ninth Schedule sets the rates. Most are ad valorem, which means a percentage of the value. Some are flat sums.
| Instrument | Rate | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Conveyance or transfer on sale | 1.5% | Transferee |
| Mortgage, bond, debenture, covenant | 0.375% | Party taking security |
| Lease, up to 7 years | 0.78% | Lessee |
| Lease, over 7 years | 3% | Lessee |
| Loan capital | 0.125% | Borrower |
| Transfer of mineral assets | 2% | Transferee |
| Policy of insurance | 0.075% | Policy holder |
| Capital duty on nominal shares | 0.75% | Company |
| Bill of exchange of any other kind | 0.10% | Payee |
| Marketable security (all types) | 0.225% | See the Schedule |
| Contract notes for marketable security | 0.8% | Transferee |
| Promissory note | 0.1% | See the Schedule |
| Agreements or contracts (all types) | N1,000 flat | Beneficiary of service |
| Electronic receipt or transfer of N10,000 or more | N50 | Sender, as banks now apply it |
The full list. These are the main rates. The Ninth Schedule has all 48 instruments, including flat duties on guarantees, cheque leaves and counterparts, with the exemptions for each.
The Schedule exempts a conveyance of property valued at N10,000,000 or less. It also exempts some transfers between associated companies that each hold at least 90% of the other, where the property was stamped on first purchase.
Stamp duty on a house or land purchase
A sale of land or a building is a conveyance or transfer on sale. The duty is 1.5% of the value. The buyer, as transferee, pays it (section 130, section 125(2)).
The buyer must stamp the deed within 30 days of signing. The Schedule exempts property valued at N10,000,000 or less.
Item 33 of the Ninth Schedule is the 1.5% conveyance or transfer item. The NRS has applied it to conversions between crypto tokens and naira (Information Circular 2026/21).
Leases
An agreement for a lease is charged as if it were the lease itself (section 134). The duty depends on the term, as in the table above.
Small leases are not charged. A lease is outside the duty if its annual value is below N10,000,000, or ten times the annual minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Share capital and loans
A company's share capital, and any increase in it, is charged ad valorem at the Ninth Schedule rate, which is 0.75% (section 135).
Loan capital is charged under section 136. Loan capital does not include an overdraft, a loan for 12 months or less, or a loan passed on to another person in an on-lending arrangement.
Several documents for one deal
- Copies: a duplicate or counterpart is not duly stamped unless it is stamped as an original, or the authority certifies that the full duty was paid (section 139).
- Several transactions in one instrument: each transaction is charged separately (section 140).
- Several instruments for one transaction: only one carries the ad valorem duty. The others are stamped as counterparts at flat rates (section 141).
- Payment in kind: the value is the market value of what is given (section 142).
What is exempt
Section 184 exempts these instruments.
- Transfers of shares in Government or legislative stocks or funds of Nigeria.
- Sales, transfers or mortgages of a ship or vessel.
- Instruments on which a Nigerian government body would pay the duty.
- Instruments of a consular officer, if the foreign state gives Nigeria the same relief.
- Instruments of a registered co-operative society.
- Shares and securities moved in a regulated securities lending transaction.
- All documents relating to the transfer of stocks and shares.
- Electronic transfers or receipts below N10,000, salary payments, and intra-bank self-transfers.
The N50 charge on transfers
The former Electronic Money Transfer Levy is now treated as stamp duty. A flat N50 applies to an electronic transfer or receipt of N10,000 or more.
Banks announced that, from January 2026, the sender bears it, not the receiver. Transfers below N10,000, salary payments and transfers between your own accounts in the same bank are exempt (section 184(i)).
Can stamp duty be refunded?
Only in limited cases. The NRS refund guidelines allow a refund for double or over payment. A document that carries a stamp duty certificate shows that the payer got value for the duty, so it does not qualify.
The application must include the original stamp duty receipt, the NRS pay-in slip or e-ticket, and the stamp duty certificate (NRS Information Circular 2026/17, paragraph 7.4).
Common mistakes
- Stamping late. The limit is 30 days from execution.
- Leaving the duty to the wrong party. Check the Schedule.
- Paying ad valorem duty on every copy. Only one instrument carries it.
- Assuming every tenancy is dutiable. Small leases are outside the duty.
- Relying on an unstamped document in court. It will not be admitted in a civil case.
Frequently asked questions
What is the stamp duty rate on a property sale in Nigeria?
1.5% of the value for a conveyance or transfer on sale, paid by the transferee, under the Ninth Schedule. A conveyance of property valued at N10,000,000 or less is exempt.
Who pays stamp duty when you buy a house?
The transferee, who is the buyer (section 125(2)).
How long do I have to stamp a document?
30 days after it is signed in Nigeria (section 125(1)).
What if a document is not stamped?
It cannot be used as evidence in a court, or in arbitration, other than in a criminal case (section 126).
Is the N50 charge on bank transfers a new tax?
It is the old Electronic Money Transfer Levy, now treated as stamp duty. It applies to electronic transfers or receipts of N10,000 or more. Transfers below N10,000 are exempt (section 184(i)).
Is stamp duty payable on rent?
A lease is dutiable, but a lease whose annual value is below N10,000,000, or ten times the annual minimum wage if higher, is not (section 134).
Are share transfers subject to stamp duty?
Section 184(h) exempts all documents relating to the transfer of stocks and shares. Share capital and increases in capital carry duty under section 135.
How much is stamp duty on land in Nigeria?
1.5% of the value for a conveyance of land or a building, paid by the buyer. A conveyance of property valued at N10,000,000 or less is exempt.
Can I get my stamp duty back?
Only for double or over payment. A document with a stamp duty certificate does not qualify, because the duty bought value. See the NRS refund guidelines.
Related guides
Study this in the ICAN notes
These free ICAN exam notes cover the same topic, with worked examples and past-question practice.
The sections, word for word
These are the sections this guide relies on, as published in the Official Gazette. Open any one to read it.
Section 123 Charge of duties
Section 124 Manner of denoting duty
Section 125 Obligation to stamp
Section 126 Admissible evidence
Section 130 Conveyance on sale
Section 134 Leases
Section 135 Duty on share capital
Section 136 Duty on loan capital
Section 139 Duplicates and counterparts
Section 140 Duty relating to one instrument covering multiple transactions
Section 141 Duty relating to multiple instruments covering same transaction
Section 142 Provisions on non-monetary consideration
Section 184 Exemption from stamp duties
Official NRS sources
- NRS: Stamp duties
- NRS: Guidelines on tax refund (Information Circular 2026/17)
- NRS: Guidelines on the taxation of virtual assets
Rates are from the Ninth Schedule, now transcribed in full on the Ninth Schedule page. Source for the Act: Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 (Act No. 7 of 2025), Official Gazette No. 117, Lagos, 26 June 2025. General information, not tax or legal advice.