SDLT Tax Advice and Representation

Patrick Cannon is a leading UK Stamp Duty Land Tax advisor, with over 35 years of experience in the field – both as a solicitor and as a barrister. He is a member of  Cannon Chambers, a London Tax Chamber

As a specialist tax barrister, Patrick advises on all aspects of the tax, and how to ensure compliance with its increasingly complex rules.

His services include: reducing liability where legitimate savings are available, dealing with HMRC SDLT enquiries and representing clients in SDLT appeals before the tax tribunals.

Other SDLT Areas Patrick Can Advise On:

If you require specialist Stamp Duty guidance, advice or representation, contact Patrick Cannon here.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax?

SDLT is a tax payable by the buyer on all properties in England and Northern Ireland. It is levied on the price of the property. Second or additional homes carry an extra 3% surcharge on the standard rates of SDLT.

There are a number of exemptions and mitigations to SDLT rates, many of which are complex and require expert legal advice to ensure that they are legitimate.

What Is SDLT Charged On?

SDLT is charged on the price of the property at the time of purchase or in some cases on market value. It is a self-declared tax and must be paid within 14 days of the date of the transaction. This is usually handled by your conveyancer.

What are The Rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax?

SDLT rates for your property can be worked out using an online tax calculator. The rates of SDLT have changed due to Covid-19. They are as follows:

Stamp Duty Rates

Minimum property purchase priceMaximum property purchase priceStamp Duty Rate
£0£500,0000%
£500,001£925,0005%
£925,0011.5 million10%
Over 1.5 million12%

Stamp Duty from July 1 2021

Minimum property purchase priceMaximum property purchase priceStamp Duty Rate
£0£500,0000%
£250,001£925,0005%
£925,0011.5 million10%
Over 1.5 million12%

Stamp Duty from October 2021

Minimum property purchase priceMaximum property purchase priceStamp Duty Rate
£0£125,0000%
£125,001£250,0002%
£250,001£925,0005%
£925,0011.5 million10%
Over 1.5 million12%

Full update rates can be found on the HMRC website here

Can You Avoid Paying Stamp Duty?

Exemptions to stamp duty are listed below. If you do not fit into any of those categories, you should be very wary of any scheme that suggests you can be exempt from paying stamp duty.

Are There Any Exemptions on SDLT?

There are some legitimate exemptions for SDLT. All of them carry specific conditions which must be met, and it is a good idea to get legal advice if you are in any doubt about fulfilling the criteria. SDLT exemptions include:

  • First time buyers (if buying a property under the thresholds listed above)
  • Buying an uninhabitable property
  • Buying a property for no more than £125,000
  • Transferring a property – through a will, gift, as part of a civil partnership or marriage or in a divorce.
  • A builder or developer sells a property to an individual and buys the individual’s original home.
  • An employer buys an employee’s house
  • A compulsory purchase: for example, if a local authority buys a property in order to sell it to a developer, the LA will be exempt from SDLT.
  • A developer may be exempt from SDLT if they buy property or land in order to build a structure as part of a planning obligation (eg building a school).
  • A charity buys property for charitable purposes.
  • Registered social landlords

How Can Patrick Cannon Help?

Patrick Cannon is a specialist tax barrister with a wealth of experience in Stamp Duty Land Tax, offering expert guidance, advice and representation in all aspects of this complex property tax.

Whether you are concerned about a SDLT mitigation scheme, are looking for help reclaiming overpaid stamp duty, or facing an HMRC investigation, contact Patrick here.

Patrick is authorised by the Bar Standards Board to accept Direct Access work and to undertake litigation, which means that he can advise corporate or private clients directly, and deal directly with HMRC on their behalf.

Patrick works as a Stamp Duty Land Tax adviser on the basis of fixed fees agreed in advance via his Clerk, and he does not charge open-ended hourly rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

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For professional and insurance reasons Patrick is unable to offer any advice until he has been formally instructed.