What is Document Duty (Guernsey)?
Document Duty is Guernsey's equivalent of stamp duty. It is charged on instruments effecting the transfer of property situated in Guernsey, including real property, shares in property-owning companies, and certain other transactions. Rates range from 0% to 2.5% depending on the type of transaction and the consideration paid.
Current Rate (Charged on each transaction (not annual))
0% to 2.5% depending on property type and consideration; residential property: 0% up to £250,000, then 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% in bands
Example
A Guernsey resident buys a house for £450,000. Document Duty is calculated in bands: 0% on the first £250,000, 1% on the next £150,000 (£1,500), 1.5% on the next £50,000 (£750) = £2,250 total duty.
How Document Duty (Guernsey) works in Guernsey
Document Duty in Guernsey is charged under the Document Duty (Guernsey) Ordinance. It applies to a range of instruments and transactions, most prominently the conveyance of Guernsey real estate.
**Residential property rates (2025)** | Band | Rate | |------|------| | Up to £250,000 | 0% | | £250,001 to £400,000 | 1% | | £400,001 to £750,000 | 1.5% | | £750,001 to £1,500,000 | 2% | | Above £1,500,000 | 2.5% |
Rates are applied on a banded (marginal) basis, not on the total consideration.
**Non-residential property** Commercial property transfers attract Document Duty at 0.5% on the first £50,000 and 2% on the excess.
**Share transfers** Transfers of shares in companies (including off-market private company transfers) are generally not subject to Document Duty in Guernsey, which contrasts with the UK's 0.5% stamp duty on share transfers. This can make Guernsey structures attractive for holding assets.
**Property-owning companies** Guernsey introduced rules to catch transfers of interests in property-owning companies ('enveloped' property). If the transaction amounts to an indirect disposal of Guernsey land, Document Duty may still apply.
**Payment and filing** Document Duty is paid to the Revenue Service on or before the date of the instrument. The notary or advocate acting on the property transaction typically calculates and remits the duty.
**First-time buyers** No blanket first-time buyer exemption exists in Guernsey equivalent to the UK. However, the 0% band on the first £250,000 provides some relief for smaller purchases.
Related terms
Guernsey operates a 0% corporate income tax rate for the vast majority of companies. Standard trading companies pay zero corporation tax on profits. Only specific regulated sectors face a 10% rate: banking businesses, domestic insurance licensees, insurance managers/intermediaries, fiduciaries, and fund administrators. The 0% rate is one of Guernsey's primary commercial attractions and applies regardless of the company's level of profit.
The States of Guernsey Revenue Service (commonly called the Revenue Service or the States Revenue Service) is the government body responsible for administering income tax, document duty, and social insurance contributions in Guernsey. It is the equivalent of HMRC in the UK or the IRS in the US. It issues assessments, collects payments, and enforces compliance.
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