Government mulls Double Stamp Duty waiver period extension

It'll lengthen period by 1-2 months.

Citing the HKET, Barclays said the government is considering extending the waiver period for the Double Stamp Duty from six months from the time of preliminary sales and purchase (S&P) to six months from the time of formal sales and purchase.

Given that the formal sale and purchase usually takes place around one to two months after the preliminary agreement, this would effectively lengthen the waiver period by 1-2 months, allowing homeowners who are trading up slightly more time to unload their properties. It has been more than a year since the government announced the Double Stamp Duty in February 2013, but the bill has not been passed by the Legislative Council.