The purchase price is not the only cost when buying property in Thailand. Transfer taxes and fees add 3–7% to the total depending on the property type, the seller's situation, and how costs are split. Here is every charge you need to know about.
The Four Main Transfer Costs
1. Transfer Fee — 2% of appraised value
Calculated on the Land Department's assessed (appraised) value, not the actual transaction price. The appraised value is usually lower than market value. Typically split 50/50 between buyer and seller, though this is negotiable.
2. Stamp Duty — 0.5% of appraised value
Applies only when the seller has held the property for more than 5 years. If the property has been held less than 5 years, Specific Business Tax applies instead (see below).
3. Specific Business Tax (SBT) — 3.3% of sale price or appraised value (whichever is higher)
Applies when the seller has owned the property for less than 5 years. This is a significant cost — typically paid by the seller but worth understanding when negotiating the purchase price.
4. Withholding Tax — 1–3% (sellers pay)
Withheld at the Land Department at the point of transfer. For individual sellers, calculated on a sliding scale based on appraised value and years of ownership. For corporate sellers, it's a flat 1% of sale price or appraised value.
Who Pays What
By convention in Thailand, transfer fees are split equally between buyer and seller. Stamp Duty or SBT, and Withholding Tax, are seller costs. In practice, costs are often negotiated as part of the purchase price. The most common arrangement is for the buyer to pay the Transfer Fee (1%) and the seller to cover all other charges.
Annual Costs to Budget For
Thailand introduced a Land and Buildings Tax in 2020. For residential property, the rate is 0.02–0.1% of appraised value per year (very low by international standards). Investment properties and commercial use properties are taxed at slightly higher rates.
Common Property Fund and Maintenance Fees
Condos charge a sinking fund at purchase (one-time, typically 500–800 THB/sqm) and ongoing CAM fees (common area maintenance, typically 30–60 THB/sqm/month). Verify both with the building's juristic office before committing.
See our step-by-step buying guide for the full process, or contact us for guidance on a specific property.