RETT is a flat 5% on the transaction value, paid by the seller at deed registration via the Ministry of Finance / ZATCA portal. It replaced the 15% VAT that briefly applied to property transfers post-2020.
Exemptions matter: first-time Saudi buyers on primary residence (subject to value caps), direct-family gifts and inheritance, and certain PIF-linked giga-project transfers.
Practically: RETT is usually built into the asking price. As a buyer, you should still underwrite assuming the full 5% lands somewhere — typically in a sharper bid, not a surcharge.
Note that RETT is not the same as VAT-on-services. Agency commission and legal fees still attract 15% VAT.
Saudi Data Sources
Commentary cross-referenced to GASTAT, REGA, SAMA, Ministry of Housing, SPR Center, MISA, and JLL / Knight Frank KSA quarterly reports.
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