CIG record-breaking Stamp Duty Revenue for 2025

Following a dramatic 2025 surplus turnaround, the National Coalition For Caymanians (NCFC) government has announced record stamp duty collections for the past year.

The Lands and Survey Department of the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI) reports that 2025 fiscal data for real estate stamp duty collections confirms a record-breaking year for the Cayman Islands property market.

“Total stamp duty revenue in 2025 was CI$130.3 million, marking the highest annual collection in the jurisdiction’s history,” it reports.

This exceeds the government’s 2025 budget projection of CI$79.5 million by CI$50.8 million, or 64%.

The 2025 figure represents a 23% increase over the CI$106.1 million collected in 2024, and a 41% increase over the CI$92.7 million collected in 2023.

The ministry headed by Hon. Johany S. (Jay) Ebanks says the result “underscores the sustained strength, resilience, and premium positioning of the Cayman Islands real estate sector within the global investment landscape.”

It says this marks the third consecutive year in which stamp duty collections have significantly outperformed budget expectations.

Uche Obi, Director of Lands and Survey, states: “The unprecedented CI$130.3 million in revenue collected for 2025 is a testament to the enduring confidence in the Cayman Islands real estate market. This trend confirms that the real estate sector remains a resilient cornerstone of the national economy and continues to play a vital role in supporting public finances.”

According to the government statement, a key driver of the record-setting year was an unprecedented surge in December 2025. Stamp duty collections for the month totalled CI$29.2 million - the highest single-month revenue figure ever recorded in the Cayman Islands.

“The spike was largely attributed to investors accelerating the completion of high-value transactions ahead of the 1st January 2026 adjustment to stamp duty rates. Under the revised structure, stamp duty increased from 7.5% to 10% on property transactions valued at CI$2 million or more,” the ministry said.

It claims that “this forward momentum reflects both market responsiveness to policy changes and sustained investor confidence in Cayman’s high-end property sector.”

The Lands and Survey Department is responsible for the administration of land, as well as the assessment and collection of stamp duties on real estate transactions in the Cayman Islands.