Improvements to Stamp taxes online service

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

We are sorry if the downtime causes you inconvenience in the short term - we hope that the real advantages of the new upgrade will more than compensate for it:

Subject to testing, the improvements could go-live later in the week.

Extension of Surname/Company name to 56 characters

Customers have informed us they require more space for surnames/company names on the return. In consultation with stakeholders and the Land Registers we agreed that 56 would be the optimum number of characters. If more are needed, some abbreviation may be necessary. (For most customers up to 28 characters is sufficient.)

The Stamp Taxes Online electronic SDLT 5 certificate will show up to 56 characters but if you request a paper SDLT 5 certificate this will only show the first 36.

Zero Carbon Relief (ZCR) Code 30

A new code has been added to take account of ZCR, which was introduced in Budget 2007. If this is applicable, you will need to claim Code 30. To do this from Stamp Taxes Online:

  • use the drop down menu at question 9.2 in the section 'About the Transaction'
  • select Zero Carbon Relief.

The system will pre-populate Code 30 in question 9.2 on the printed return. Stamp Taxes Online will calculate tax due, whether it is fully exempt or a consideration over £500,000.

Online SDLT 5 easier to identify

We have responded to feedback from customers and Land Registries and made it easier to identify the SDLT 5 certificate (submission receipt). We have amended the submission receipt title to: 'Submission Receipt & Electronic SDLT 5 Certificate' Please continue to send these to the Land Registers, as usual.

Removal of question 58 'Address for certificate'

This question is not required as paper certificates are no longer issued for online returns. We still need this information for business rule requirements - but the system provides this automatically on your behalf.

On any printed version, question 58 will show the word 'property'.