Stamp duty slashed to 1% or 2%

IT took five years of annual pre-budget speculation, lobbying and hopes but, finally, Ireland’s stamp duty regime on house sales has been tackled, simplified — and slashed.

A new flat rate of just 1% on all house sales worth under €1 million comes into force from today with a 2% rate for €1m-plus properties.

It removes inequities among first and second-time buyers, and between new and second-hand properties.