Land Betterment Charge

With effect from 1 August 2022, a new Land Betterment Charge (LBC) has replaced Differential Premium, Development Charge (DC) and Temporary Development Levy (TDL), which were previously administered by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) respectively. The LBC is a tax on the increase in value of land arising from a chargeable consent (e.g. planning permission) given in relation to a development of any land.

Under the LBC, landowners seeking to develop their sites need not make a separate application to SLA for the payment of LBC once a planning application or plan lodgment for an authorised development has been submitted to URA.  If the proposed development results in an increase in land value, SLA will follow up directly with the taxable person by issuing a Liability Order (LO) stating the LBC payable. Payment must be made to SLA within 1 month from the date of the LO. This will apply to all planning permissions, plan lodgement and variation of restrictive covenants granted on or after 1 August 2022.

The principles for computing LBC follow the previous DP and DC systems, known as the Table of Rates method. LBC will be computed based on the difference between the value of the post-chargeable valuation and pre-chargeable valuation. Post-chargeable valuation is the value derived from the variation of the relevant restrictive covenant, or the proposed use(s) and intensity in URA’s planning permission or plan lodgement. Pre-chargeable valuation is the value derived from the restrictive covenants in the State title or the last authorised/approved development. The historical Master Plans 1958/1980/2003 will continue to be taken into account in the determination of pre-chargeable valuation, where applicable.

For more information, please refer to this circular dated 5 July 2022 and the attached documents.

From 1 March 2024, the LBC Rates for all Use Groups from September 2022 to September 2025 will be available on OneMap. Members of the public can check the LBC rates for the respective geographical sectors on OneMap.

For use in determination of pre-chargeable value for safeguarded historical base line (where applicable) 

Fixed Rates

Sep 2003 DC Rates

Processing Fee

A fee of $1,100 will be collected for an application to update the Baseline database, and this will be payable together with the LBC when the liability order is issued.

Option for Spot Valuation

In cases where there is no suitable or comparable use group for assessment, the Valuation method will apply. Taxable persons may also elect to use the Valuation method, which is irrevocable, in lieu of the Table of Rates method by using this form.

Application for the Election of Valuation Method

Receiving a Liability Order

Every liability order will include details such as (i) the amount of LBC payable; (ii) the name of the taxable person(s) (and apportionment, if any); and (iii) the methods by which payment for LBC can be made. Upon receipt of a liability order, the LBC payable by a taxable person is due to SLA at the end of one month. Once LBC has been paid in full, the liability order will cease to have effect.

Forms

Assumption of Liability Notice

A person who wishes to assume liability to pay any LBC for a chargeable consent may inform SLA by using this form.

Application for Assumption of Liability

Deferment Determination

A charitable institution which is using the land for charitable purposes may apply to SLA for a deferment to pay LBC by using this form.

Application for Deferment Determination 

Transfer of Deferred Liability

A taxable person whose liability to pay any LBC is deferred may apply to transfer his deferred liability to another person by using this form.

Application for Notice of Transfer of Deferred Liability

Evidentiary Certificate

An owner or prospective owner of a land may apply for a certificate in relation to matters mentioned in section 55(1) of the Land Betterment Charge Act by using this form.

Application for Evidentiary Certificate