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Nigeria Stamp Duty Calculator for Tenancy & Deed of Assignment

Calculates the stamp duty payable on tenancy agreements and deeds of assignment in Nigeria based on document type, annual rent or property price, and party type.

Your details

Select the type of document requiring stamp duty.

Stamp duty is collected by the State Government if both parties are individuals. If any party is a corporate entity, it is collected by the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).

Enter the total yearly rent for tenancy/lease agreements. For leases of less than one year, enter the annualized rent (e.g., monthly rent * 12). This is a common practice for stamp duty calculation. Required if Document Type is Tenancy/Lease.

Enter the total purchase price or consideration for a Deed of Assignment. Required if Document Type is Deed of Assignment.

Result

Stamp Duty Payable (NGN) NGN 84,000.00

The final stamp duty amount, which cannot be less than the statutory minimum. If required inputs are missing, returns null.

How it is calculated

Applicable Stamp Duty Rate The statutory percentage applied to the base amount. For tenancy, a tiered rate based on annual rent.
7 %
Collecting Authority The government body responsible for collecting this stamp duty.
State Government
Keep in mind
  • This calculator provides an estimate based on standard national rates under the Stamp Duties Act as amended. The tenancy duty is calculated using tiered rates based on the ANNUAL RENT. For leases less than one year, input the annualized rent (e.g., monthly rent * 12) as a common practice for stamp duty calculation. Some states may have additional administrative fees. Always confirm the final payable amount with the relevant State Stamp Duty Office or the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) for corporate transactions.
  • The 'Annual Rent' field is required when 'Document Type' is 'Tenancy/Lease Agreement'. The 'Property Price/Consideration' field is required when 'Document Type' is 'Deed of Assignment'.

Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.

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Residential Tenancy Agreement

What is Stamp Duty in Nigeria?

Stamp duty is a tax levied on legal documents to make them admissible as evidence in court. In Nigeria, it is governed by the Stamp Duties Act (Cap S8, LFN 2004) as amended by subsequent Finance Acts. The duty is payable on documents like tenancy agreements and deeds of assignment. The amount depends on the document type, its value, and whether the parties are individuals or corporate entities.

How is Stamp Duty Calculated?

The calculation method differs by document:

  • For Tenancy and Lease Agreements: Stamp duty is calculated based on the annual rent using a tiered rate schedule:
    • 0.78% for annual rent up to and including ₦250,000.
    • 3% for annual rent from ₦250,001 up to and including ₦500,000.
    • 6% for annual rent from ₦500,001 up to and including ₦1,000,000.
    • 7% for annual rent above ₦1,000,000.
    The duty is applied to the annual rent, not the total rent over the lease term. For short-term leases (e.g., month-to-month), the annualized rent (monthly rent * 12) is used.
  • For Deeds of Assignment: Stamp duty is calculated at a flat rate of 1.5% of the property's purchase price or consideration.

A crucial rule is the minimum stamp duty. Regardless of the calculated percentage, the duty payable cannot be less than ₦50. The calculator automatically applies this minimum.

The collecting authority is also important. If both parties are individuals, the stamp duty is collected by the relevant State Government. However, if at least one party is a corporate entity, the duty is collected by the federal Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the stamp duty for a residential lease agreement in Lagos between two individuals with a high annual rent.

  • Document Type: Tenancy/Lease Agreement
  • Annual Rent: ₦1,200,000
  • Applicable Rate Tier: Since the rent is above ₦1,000,000, the rate is 7%.
  • Calculated Duty: 7% of ₦1,200,000 = ₦84,000
  • Minimum Check: ₦84,000 is greater than ₦50, so it remains.
  • Collecting Authority: Since both parties are individuals, the Lagos State Government collects this duty.

The total stamp duty payable is ₦84,000.

Common Scenarios and Important Notes

Short-Term or Low-Value Leases: For a room rented for ₦30,000 per year, the applicable rate is 0.78% (first tier). The calculated duty is 0.78% of ₦30,000 = ₦234. However, this is above the minimum of ₦50, so the payable duty is ₦234.

Corporate Leases: If a company rents an office, the duty calculation is the same, but it must be paid to the NRS, not the state government.

Deed of Assignment: For a property sold for ₦50,000,000, the duty is 1.5% of that price, resulting in ₦750,000.

It is essential to note that while the rates are national, administrative processes and potential additional fees can vary by state. Always verify with the local stamp duty office for the final procedure and amount. Ensure you provide the required input (Annual Rent or Property Price) based on your selected Document Type for the calculator to work correctly.

What Document Should You Prepare Next?

After determining your stamp duty liability, you should ensure your underlying legal document is properly drafted. For a residential lease, use a Residential Tenancy Agreement or Residential Lease Agreement. For transferring property ownership, a Deed of Assignment is the correct document. These templates provide a solid legal framework for your transaction. Once signed, the document must be stamped by paying the calculated duty at the appropriate authority to make it fully legally enforceable.

Frequently asked questions

Who pays stamp duty, the landlord or the tenant?

For tenancy agreements, the responsibility is typically negotiated. The law places the obligation to ensure the document is stamped on the party executing it (often the tenant). It is common for the tenant to bear the cost.

Is stamp duty the same in every state in Nigeria?

The basic rates set by the Stamp Duties Act are national. However, administration, collection points, and potential additional administrative fees may vary by state. The collecting authority differs based on party type (State Government for individuals, NRS for corporate).

What happens if I don't pay stamp duty on my tenancy agreement?

An unstamped agreement is not admissible as evidence in a Nigerian court. If a dispute arises, you cannot use the agreement to support your case. Paying the duty "stamps" the document, making it legally valid for enforcement.

How do I pay the stamp duty after calculating it?

For transactions involving individuals, visit the Stamp Duty Office of the State Government where the property is located with the executed document and payment. For corporate transactions, pay to the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) through designated channels.

Does stamp duty apply to a monthly rental agreement with no fixed term?

Yes. For periodic tenancies (like month-to-month), calculate the annualized rent (monthly rent * 12) and apply the tiered rates. The minimum duty of ₦50 applies if the calculated amount is lower.

Can I use this calculator for a commercial lease?

Yes, the tiered rates for lease agreements apply to both residential and commercial leases. The key distinction is the party type: if a company is involved, the duty is paid to the NRS.