Stamp Taxes - news archive

June 2008

30 June

Late Filing Penalties, Practitioners News 21
This issue of PN has been temporarily withdrawn, whilst corrections are made to the section on late filing penalties.
SDLT 6 "Purchaser's Responsibilities" explains the accurate position.

26 June

Stamp Duty Land Tax – Commercial Sukuk
HM Revenue and Customs have today launched consultation on its proposals for a relief from Stamp Duty Land Tax for Commercial Sukuk.

25 June

Guidance Note on the Stamp Duty Land Tax (Open-ended Investment Companies) Regulations 2008 (Statutory Instrument 2008 No. 710)
We have produced a guidance note on these regulations, which provide SDLT relief where an authorised unit trust converts to, or merges with, an open-ended investment company. This guidance will be incorporated in the SDLT Manual in due course.

11 June

SD7 Penalties and Interest Leaflet (PDF 65K)
We have rewritten the leaflet SD7 regarding penalties. A new version of the SD7 leaflet Covering Penalties and Interest charges is now available.

6 June

SDLT Guidance notes (SDLT6)
To make it easier for screen reading, the internet version of the SDLT6 will only be available in HTML. As of Friday 6 June 2008 the PDF version will no longer be available.

4 June

Stamp Duty work allocation
Please be aware all Stamp Duty work including Sections 42, 75 and 77 is now undertaken at Birmingham Stamp Office. Edinburgh Stamp Office will be able to deal with urgent stamping requests for Scottish Customers.

May 2008

28 May

Barcode Countdown Only five months to go!
Still filing SDLT returns using a CD ROM or 2D barcode? You only have five months to move to other filing methods.

Act now and join the majority who’ve already made the switch!

April 2008

28 April

Stamp Taxes - Barcode countdown - only six months to go
If you file SDLT returns using a CD ROM or 2D barcode be aware returns filed by these methods will not be accepted after 1 November 2008.

18 April

Stamp Taxes - Automated Registration of Title to Land (ARTL)
Automated Registration of Title to Land (ARTL) now includes Stamp Duty Land Tax. This new element of the Registers of Scotland (RoS) service was launched today in Dunfermline.

16 April

Stamp Taxes:- Budget changes to notification requirements
This note confirms that SDLT60s are no longer needed for any transactions and summarises the new rules for notification thresholds for SDLT

1 April

Stamp Taxes - dealing with missing UTRNs
For some time we’ve provided a means of dealing with missing UTRNs by advising customers to use the priority fax process, this service is now no longer available.

March 2008

31 March

Stamp Taxes - Stamp duty on shared ownership homes will not be required until buyers own 80 per cent of the equity in their home
As a result of the recent budget changes, we have produced an information sheet regarding shared ownership homes.

17 March

Stamp Taxes - dealing with missing UTRNs (withdrawal of priority fax process)
For some time we’ve provided a means of dealing with missing UTRNs by advising customers to use the priority fax process, we will no longer offer this service from 31 March 2008.

14 March

Budget 2008 changes to Stamp Duty, Stamp Duty Land Tax and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax
The chancellor on 12 March 2008 announced changes to stamp duty, stamp duty land tax and stamp duty reserve tax.

4 March

SDLT Practitioners News (Issue 20)
Containing information relating to Stamp Taxes Online (New enhancements, Local Authorities and government departments can now register, Transactions with 100 or more properties, Multiple properties) and Other issues (SDLT6 Guidance Notes: how to use the new HTML version, CHAPS Payments).

Stamp Duty Land Tax Policy and Processing Organisational Chart (PDF 20K)
Stamp Duty Land Tax Policy and Processing Organisational Chart, to enable customers to gain an overview of the teams involved in the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) process.

February 2008

25 February

Take advantage of online filing
We ask our customers using the CD–Rom to take advantage of online filing. We are also asking customers who use commercial software 2D Barcode products to ask their supplier about the alternative online filing products on offer.

1 February

Stamp Taxes Online: Transactions with more than 100 properties
The submission process.

January 2008

24 January

Consultation on SDLT related issues
HM Treasury are currently consulting on two SDLT-related issues.

Composite CHAPS Payments
We can now offer customers the facility of a single CHAPS payment to cover a large number of stamp duty land tax transactions.

18 January

Stamp Taxes 2D Barcode Decommissioning
Many SDLT customers who used to use 2D Barcoded returns are now discovering the undoubted advantages of online filing.

17 January

Take up of Stamp Duty Land Tax online filing (Report 39) (PDF 315K)
Publication of a report summarising the results of Research Report 39 - qualitative research into online filing of SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) among solicitors and licensed conveyancers.

16 January

SDLT Technical News (Issue 6)
It contains information relating to announcements made relating to SDLT in the Pre-Budget Report, HMT consultation on use of SPVs and extension of SDLT disclosure rules to residential property, SDLT relief for Zero-Carbon Homes.

15 January

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
The HTML version of the Lease chapter of the SDLT Manual was published on 27 December 2007. This replaces the previous PDF version.

11 January

Online Registration for Councils and Other Government Departments
Councils and government departments can now register for Stamp Taxes Online service.

03 January

Shared equity leases – doing these online
Certain guidance appeared to indicate that practitioners needed to submit paper returns for shared equity lease transactions when a premium is paid/taxable amount is due. These transactions can be filed online and we have now amended the guidance to make this clearer.

02 January

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6
Amended guidance is shown on Zero Carbon Relief.

December 2007

17 December

Bearer Instruments: updated version of Stamps BI.1 Form (PDF 909K)
Form that is required to be completed and forwarded to Stamp Taxes, Birmingham in respect of denoting and stamping Bearer Instruments.

Bearer Instruments: updated version of Stamps BI.2 Form (PDF 963K)
Form that is required to be completed and forwarded to Stamp Taxes, Birmingham in respect of denoting and stamping Bearer Instruments.

Stamp of approval for Online Filing
We are pleased to announce that online filing is now the most preferred method of filing SDLT, accounting for 44 per cent of all transactions.

14 December

Stamp Duty and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax. Intermediary and Stock Lending Reliefs – FA 2007
Transaction reporting to a Multilateral Trading Facility, Recognised Foreign Exchange or Recognised Foreign Options Exchange.

13 December

SDLT Relief for Zero Carbon Homes
The Stamp Duty Land Tax (Zero-Carbon Homes Relief) Regulations 2007 were laid in Parliament on 18 October 2007 and came into force on 7 December 2007.

7 December 2007

Stamp Taxes reorganisation: update
As part of our drive to improve customer service, from Monday 10 December all work undertaken in our Newcastle Stamp Office has moved to Birmingham.

6 December 2007

Stamp Taxes: urgent Faxes for 'lost' returns - information removed 23/04/08
From today, a system for 'lost' returns which was operated from the Newcastle Stamp Office will be provided from the Birmingham Stamp Office at the fax number: 0121 616 4536.

4 December 2007

Stamp Taxes reminder to customers who use bar-coded returns
We announced that from 1 December 2007 all bar-coded returns that fail scanning would be sent back to customers, along with the reason and the process for rejected documents.

November 2007

20 November 2007

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
Recent amendments to the SDLT Manual made on 16 November 2007 are now available.

15 November 2007

Stamp Taxes Reorganisation
As part of our drive to improve customer service, we are continuing to concentrate most of our work in fewer locations in 2007/08, and centralise in Birmingham.

12 November 2007

SDLT Practitioners' News
Issue 19 is now available. It contains information relating to: - Stamp Taxes Online filing. Reviewing ways to file returns. Stamp Taxes online filing - procedure for making payment/submitting plans and schedules.

Update: Submission of Black and White Returns
Please discard all payslips starting with reference number 4068.

08 November 2007

Submission of Black and White returns

We are aware a small number of our customers have been experiencing a problem when submitting black and white returns.

6 November 2007

Stamp of approval for SDLT Online Service

Solicitors and conveyancers are flocking to HMRC's Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Online Service, new figures released today reveal.

5 November 2007

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6
Amended guidance is shown at 2.1(ii) Scottish transactions: Automated Registration of Title to Land (ARTL).

1 November

Local Authorities and Other Government Departments will soon able to register for Stamp Taxes Online

We are pleased to announce that Government Departments and Local Authorities will soon be able to register with HMRC to enable you to submit SDLT transactions online.

October 2007

29 October

Planned system upgrade will benefit SDLT customers
A scheduled system upgrade on 30 and 31st October will include improvements to SDLT online services.

26 October

SDLT CD - Rom: Update
On 7 August 2007 we explained that we would no longer issue copies of our CD -Rom.

19 October

Intermediary and Stock Lending Reliefs – FA 2007 Changes (PDF 70K)
Changes to stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax intermediary and stock lending relief legislation, which takes effect from 1 November 2007.

18 October

Zero-carbon houses
The regulations which set out how the relief from stamp duty land tax for zero-carbon houses will operate, has been laid before Parliament.

11 October

Stamp Taxes Online - The online certificate should be sent to the land registries not the ‘submission successful’ message
We are receiving feedback that some customers are submitting the online ‘submission successful’ message to the land registries for registration purposes rather than the online certificate.

10 October

Pre Budget Report
Announcements made Tuesday 9th October, relating to: Stamp duty land tax, Stamp duty and Stamp duty reserve tax.

1 October

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6
Amended guidance is shown on electronic submissions.

SDLT CD - Rom: Update
On 7 August 2007 we explained that we would no longer issue copies of our CD -Rom.

September 2007

7 September

Printed version of the SDLT 6 revised
We have identified an error within the printed version of the SDLT 6 (July 2007).

6 September

Stamp Taxes Online: Top 5 reasons to file online
Save time and money - file your SDLT returns online

3 September

Reaching-out to customers through ‘Outreach’
Stamp Taxes’ Outreach team was formed in 2007, following the remarkable success of a series of visits to legal firms and practitioner groups.

August 2007

28 August

Stamp duty land transaction returns – telephone amendments
SDLT 1s can now be amended by Helpline staff – whether or not the SDLT 5 certificate has been issued.

22 August

Printed version of the SDLT 6 revised
The latest printed version of the SDLT 6 will soon be available from the Orderline.

16 August

Updated Stamp Taxes Online landing page
As part of the review on the Stamp Taxes website we have updated The Stamp Taxes Online landing page.

15 August

SDLT Technical News (Issue 5)
Issue 5 is now available. It contains information relating to: SDLT Finance Act changes 2007, Finance Act 2007 measure in relation to form SDLT 60, Section 75A Finance Act 2003, Partnership Property, SDLT Code of Practice 10 Extension plus much more.

10 August

New International Helpline number
Callers from overseas can now contact the Helpline.

7 August

SDLT CD – Rom: Update
On 13 July 2007 we explained that we would no longer issue copies of our CD –Rom.

4 August

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
Recent amendments to the SDLT Manual made on 2 August 2007 are now available.

3 August

Stamp Taxes Online – No more paper certificates
Since 1 November 2006, online filers have received electronic SDLT5 certificates (acceptable to all land registries), and were also sent a paper certificate by post. From 4th August 2007, we will stop issuing the paper SDLT5 certificate for all online submissions.

SDLT 6 Guidance notes: now written for screen reading
A new HTML version of the SDLT 6 Guidance notes is now available.
This allows you full internet navigation (unlike the PDF version) and links to the relevant parts of the SDLT Manual.

1 August

Online service – duplicate certificates
Following a recent IT system upgrade, some customers may receive two paper SDLT5 certificates.

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6
Amended guidance is shown on electronic submissions.

July 2007

13 July

SDLT CD-Rom
From 16 July 2007 we will no longer issue copies of our CD-Rom.

10 July

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
Recent amendments to the SDLT Manual made on 4 July 2007 and 21 June 2007 are now available.

2 July

Stamp Taxes Re-organisation: Update
Update on contact details as we move work to Birmingham.

June 2007

29 June

Stamp Taxes Online
The HMRC Online Land Transaction Return has been improved. Users now have the opportunity to check and confirm the ‘effective date’, prior to submission where it is more than 30 days after the date of transaction.

25 June

SDLT Practitioners' News
Issue 18 is now available. It contains information relating to: - Unscannable black and white (2D bar-coded) land transaction returns - change in approach. Submitting returns beyond the due date: ‘reasonable excuses’ for 2D bar-coded returns and ‘Effective date’ - how to avoid making errors on SDLT 1 (Question 4) for lease transactions plus much more.

21 June

Where to send SDLT 60s (PDF 38K)
SDLT 60s are being sent to the Stamp Office in error, a SDLT 60 certifies that a Land Transaction Return (SDLT1) is not required for a land transaction, the completed SDLT 60 should be forwarded to the nearest Land Registry office for the property.

5 June

Stamp duty land tax – Form SDLT 60 (PDF 38K)
With effect from the 17 April 2007, only the current version of the SDLT 60 is acceptable [version dated “03/06”]. The SDLT 60 is a statutory form and the regulations implementing the new version provided for a 12-month transitional period.

May 2007

30 May

2D barcoded land transaction returns: update on process change
We previously advised you that we would stop manually inputting 2D barcoded returns that failed scanning. After monitoring the impact of the letter that we have been sending to customers, we have decided to extend the period in which we will continue to manually process these returns.

8 May

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6

Amended guidance is shown on the SDLT1 Q12 in respect of code 34.

April 2007

27 April

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
On the 16th April we published updates to the Pre-transaction and post-transaction rulings under Code of Practice 10: General guidance: in the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual

Correspondence with the Birmingham Stamp Office
Birmingham Stamp Office are now dealing with large quantities of post. To ensure this is dealt with promptly, please mark correspondence with the relevant topic.

25 April

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6
Amended guidance is shown on completing the SDLT1 Q70 part 3 in respect of the use of SDLT4, Grant of Leases.

18 April

Stamp Taxes Online
Online filing – ‘Substantial Performance’ Notification. New guidance is now available.

12 April

SDLT Manual Lease Chapter
The revised lease chapter for the SDLT Manual is now available. To avoid delay this has been published temporarily in PDF format but will be available later in the year in fully-searchable html format.

6 April

More grants/assignments of lease transactions can now be filed online
From April 07 the ‘lease start date’ fields on land transaction returns will accept dates from 1st January 1500 and also allow future dates to be entered. This means you will be able to notify many more grants/assignments of lease transactions online.

March 2007

22 March

SDLT Practitioners' News
Issue 17 is now available.

21 March

Budget 2007 changes to Stamp Duty, Stamp Duty Land Tax and Stamp Duty Reserve Tax

The chancellor today announced changes to stamp duty, stamp duty land tax and stamp duty reserve tax.

16 March

2D barcoded land transaction returns: process change from 1 June 2007

From 1 June 2007 we will stop manually keying 2D barcoded returns that fail scanning and send them back to customers (where possible explaining why the form did not scan.) A replacement form will need to be submitted. From 19 March, letters outlining the new process will be sent to customers whose returns are manually keyed.

19 October

Leases on E
Don’t miss our new step-by-step guide, to filing lease transactions online, including:

03 October

Stamp Duty Practice on “Wait and See” cases
Where amount of consideration is subject to variation, pending completion accounts.

September 2006

26 September

Payments of Stamp Duty Land Tax
We are currently experiencing delays processing cheques for SDLT where the return was filed electronically.

21 September

Legislation and guidance - Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Technical News - Issue 3
Includes information on renaming of the SDLT Technical Newsletter, Consideration, Budget 2006 and Finance Act 2006 changes, Comparative SDLT treatment of lease extensions and renewals.

19 September

Legislation and guidance - Practitioners' Newsletter – Issue 12
Includes information on renaming of the SDLT Practioners Newsletter, Interest repayments, SDLT payments, HMRC services for customers with special needs and late filing penalties.

15 September

The new Form SDLT 46
The new Form SDLT 46 ‘Appeal against Penalty Determination’ is now available. Please note: this replaces the original SDLT46 and SDLT47, both of which were withdrawn in April 2006.

04 September

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
Further updates to the Nature of guidance and contact details and Reliefs: Group, reconstruction or acquisition relief chapters of the stamp duty land tax Manual were published on 31st August.

August 2006

31 August

New rates of interest on Stamp Taxes
New rates of interest on Stamp Taxes paid late.

New rates of interest on Stamp Taxes
New rates of interest on Stamp Taxes overpaid will apply from 6th September 2006.

30 August

Legislation and guidance - Minor changes to the SDLT 6

Question 20, guidance is shown on how a 10,000 year lease should be completed, and completing the SDLT1 in respect of old leases, referring to shillings and pence.

21 August

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
Further updates to the Compliance chapters of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual – Information on the issue of formal third party notices were published on 18th August.

18 August

Stamp Taxes calculator and stamp duty land tax on lease transactions calculator
Due to planned maintenance the calculators will not be available between 11:00 on Saturday 19 August and 16:00 on Sunday 20 August. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

01 August

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
We have published updates to the ' Scope and Relief chapters of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual.

June 2006

27 June

Minor changes to the SDLT 6

Appendix – Local authority codes contained within the SDLT6 incorrectly refers to South Buckinghamshire this should read as "South Bucks" which has now been amended and is reflected in the SDLT6. The local authority codes search facility has been amended to enable an authority such as West Dorset to be searched for under D as well as W, these amendments are a direct result of constructive customer feedback.

26 June

SDLT Manual - Updates
We have published updates to the ' Scope, Processing and Compliance ' chapters of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual.

22 June

Stamp Taxes publish 2nd report on SDLT8s
As part of its ongoing support for customers, Stamp Taxes has analysed the reasons why SDLT 8 letters are generated.

21 June

Practitioners' Newsletter – Issue 11 (PDF 152K)
Includes information on Stamp Taxes Organisation, Future distribution of the Newsletter, Stamp Taxes online computer requirements and other SDLT general issues. The next Technical Newsletter will be published in July.

19 June

SDLT: 2D Barcoded Substitute Form Technical Pack for Software Developers
Please note that the '2D TPV Business Calculation Rules' has now been updated, bringing it in line with current legislation.

9 June

SDLT: 2D Barcoded Substitute Form Technical Pack for Software Developers
Please note that the '2D TPV Business Calculation Rules' have been withdrawn for updates to be made to the calculations, bringing it in line with current legislation.

May 2006

23 May

Legislation and guidance - Changes to the online SDLT6 Guidance Notes
The online version of the SDLT6 guidance notes on how to complete your land transaction return SDLT1, SDLT2, SDLT3 and SDLT4 was updated on 3rd May 2006. A full list of the changes are now available.

16 May

SDLT 46 & SDLT 47
A news item was published on 24 April 2006 advising that these forms have been withdrawn. Please note that they have been temporarily withdrawn whilst a replacement is drafted. The replacement will be posted onto the website as soon as it becomes available.

9 May

Legislation and guidance - Stamp Taxes Publications Calendar
Stamp Taxes have issued a Publications Calendar to inform customers of the publication of Stamp Taxes forms, leaflets, guidance/legislation etc. The calendar also reflects the consultation period for comments on various publications.

3 May

Legislation and guidance - SDLT Manual - Updates
We have published updates to the 'Reliefs' and 'Application' chapters of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual.

April 2006

28 April

The stamp duty land tax (Amendment To The Finance Act 2003) Regulations 2006
The Regulations supplement the provisions in Finance Act 2003 for determining what is and what is not chargeable consideration for stamp duty land tax (‘SDLT’) purposes. ‘Chargeable consideration’ is the amount on which SDLT is charged.

24 April

SDLT46 & SDLT47
These forms have been withdrawn, as of 21st April 2006.

13 April

Revised SDLT 60 and new Guidance Notes SDLT 68
A revised SDLT 60 and new Guidance Notes SDLT 68 are now available and should be used from 17/4/06.

10 April

Stamp 61
This form has been withdrawn. Customers should send a letter listing documents sent through the post for impressed stamping to London Stamp Office.

3 April

Stamp duty land tax - Recognised Suppliers of 2D Barcoded Substitute SDLT Forms
Updated list of recognised suppliers of 2D barcoded substitute SDLT forms. Also, visit our list of 3rd Party Internet filing software, successfully tested with us to ensure that their SDLT forms can be filed online.

March 2006

31 March

Stamp Duty Land Tax - Recognised Suppliers of 2D Barcoded Substitute SDLT Forms
Updated list of recognised suppliers of 2D barcoded substitute SDLT forms. Also, visit our list of 3rd Party Internet filing software, successfully tested with us to ensure that their SDLT forms can be filed online.

Stamp Taxes Online Frequently Asked Question
Updated Online FAQ concerning the issue of an SDLT 12.

22 March

Budget 2006 change to Stamp Duty Land Tax threshold
The chancellor today announced a rise in the threshold of stamp duty land tax to £125,000.

1 March

Problem with the calculator tool in mixed DAR cases
The calculator tool can not be used for any transaction which includes a mixed DAR element.

Interest Charges made on Stamp Duty Land Tax cases from 1st December 2003 to 25th September 2005
We have repaid all payments of interest incorrectly charged by the published deadline of 31st January 2006.

February 2006

22nd February

Practitioners' Newsletter – Issue 10 (PDF 178K)
Includes information on land transaction returns, our new online product – Online Tax Return – Land Transaction, 2-d barcode issues and other SDLT and general issues.

Technical Newsletter – Issue 2 (PDF 136K)
Includes information on shared ownership leases, working enquiry cases and exchanges.

9th February

Stamp Duty Land Tax: Guidance on Paragraph 2(4A) of Schedule 7, Finance (No 2) Act 2003
Paragraph 2 (4A) of Schedule 7 Finance Act 2003, inserted by paragraph 19 of Schedule 10, Finance (No 2) Act 2005, introduce new restrictions on the availability of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) group relief under Schedule 7, F.A. 2003.

1st February

Section 50 Finance (No.2) Act 2005 – Secondary Legislation to specify a further qualifying Mutilateral Trading Facility (MTF)
Includes an update specifying a further qualifying Trading Facility (MTF).

January 2006

19th January

Stamp Taxes/Stamp Duty Customer Promise and Service Information
We would like to draw your attention to the updated guidance concerning our Customer Promise and Service Information.

Stamp Duty: Interest & Penalties - Pre 1/12/03
We would like to draw your attention to the updated guidance concerning payment of Stamp Duty: Interest & Penalties.

16th January

Stamp Taxes – Updated Complaints Procedure
An updated description of the Stamp Taxes Complaints Procedure has now been published.

Stamp Taxes - Updated Contact Details
An updated list of Stamp Office addresses, telephone numbers and opening hours has now been published.

Amended Use of the SDLT 60
We would like to draw your attention to an update to the list of amendments, facilitating the use of the SDLT 60.

13th January

Stamp Taxes Online Frequently Asked Questions
The latest version of our 'Stamp Taxes Online Frequently Asked Questions' is now available.