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Stamp taxes

If you are buying UK property, shares or a business, you may be liable for stamp taxes including stamp duty land tax (SDLT).

As well as SDLT, if you own residential property in a company valued in excess of £500,000 you may also be subject to the annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) charge. Stamp taxes can be notoriously complex, so let us help guide you.

Meet the team

How can we help you?

  • Review property transactions to determine whether the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) liability can be reduced
  • Advise on ATED and help with annual reporting
  • Advise on other tax implications of the acquisition of property or land.
  • Obtaining clearance from HMRC before entering into a transaction where appropriate
  • Help you to meet your compliance obligations.

What is ATED?

A company or other non-natural person holding a residential property with a value in excess of £500,000 is subject to the annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) rules.

2022 was a revaluation year requiring properties to be revalued as at 1 April 2022 to determine whether the rules apply with effect from 1 April 2023.

As a result many more companies could find themselves within the regime for the 2023/24 tax year if they now breach the £500,000 threshold following revaluation.  Not all properties are subject to the charge as certain exemptions and reliefs apply but a return may still need to be filed, with penalties applying for failure to do so. 

SDLT Client story

SDLT advice on the 3% surcharge for additional residential properties

Background: We were approached for SDLT advice in connection with a new property purchase. Our client owned a property personally which they had lived in with their partner for many years. The partner owned a rental flat solely in their name.

The couple wished to jointly purchase a new property to live in and sell the house they were currently living in. This, however, would have triggered an additional 3% SDLT liability on the entire property value by virtue of the partner not having a share in the main residence and owning a separate property.

How we helped: Without our help, additional SDLT of £9,000 would have been due under the new 3% surcharge rules. As a result of our advice, the client was able to change their position, saving them from paying this additional SDLT.