The sale or purchase a property can be a difficult task for any person due to the various processes and procedures involved. Stamp duty is one such important tax which needs to be understood. Broadly, it arises on the sale or transfer of a wide range of personal and business related assets.


In Zimbabwe, stamp duty is payable on the registration of title upon acquisition of immovable property. The Stamp duty is calculated in accordance with the Schedule to Chapter II of the Finance Act [Chapter 23:04] as read with the Stamp Duties Act [Chapter 23:09].Stamp duty is a tax that people buying a property have to pay. The amount they have to pay depends on the value of the property they are buying, with more expensive houses incurring a higher rate of stamp duty land tax.


If you’re thinking of buying a property your first question is likely to be: “Who pays for Stamp duty” and “How much is stamp duty?”.


Who Pays
Generally, the person acquiring the asset is liable for any Stamp Duty arising on the acquisition.

How Much is Stamp Duty
In terms of the Stamp duties Act, stamp duty is calculated using the declared value of the property or the consideration payable as at the date of acquisition of property. The date of acquisition is also defined as the date on which the transaction was entered into or the date on which the person who acquired the property became entitled to it. In other words, stamp duty is charged on the current fair market value of the property or the purchase price.

1. For example, calculation of stamp duty payable on acquisition of property valued at $4 000.00

Duty is:
(1% * 4000) + 70
-> 40 + 70
-> $110.00

Calculation of stamp duty payable on acquisition of property valued at $50 000.00

Duty is:
3% * ($50 000.00 – 20 000.00) + 370
-> (3% * 30 000.00) + 370
->900 + 370
-> $1 270.00

Calculation of stamp duty payable on acquisition of property valued at $120 000.00

Duty is:
4% * (120 000.00 – 100 000.00) + 2 770.00
-> (4% * 20 000.00) + 2 770.00
-> 800 + 2 770.00
-> $3 570.00

Can I get an exemption?
Various exemptions and concessions apply. The law places exemptions from payment of stamp duty on registration of an acquisition of immovable property in certain circumstances which are listed in item 5 to the Schedule to Chapter II of the Finance Act, which include but are not limited to the following;

1. Property acquired by way of inheritance
2. Property acquired in terms of a divorce order
3. Property acquired by an ecclesiastical, charitable or educational body which is recognised by the Government as being of a public character as approved by the Minister.

There are different costs that one needs to consider when buying a property and Stamp duty is one cost which must be factored.