SDLT – less time to file and pay?

SDLT – less time to file and pay?

Wed 25 Nov 2015

The Government has announced proposals to halve the time allowed for filing and paying stamp duty land tax on property transactions.

Currently, where a land transaction return is required to be submitted on the acquisition of a property or the granting or assignment of a lease, the purchaser or tenant has 30 days from the effective date of the transaction to file the return and pay any tax due.

The Government has announced it will open a consultation next year on proposals to change the SDLT filing and payment process in 2017-2018, including a reduction in the filing and payment window from 30 days to 14 days after the effective date of the transaction.   Legislation is expected to be introduced in the Finance Bill 2017.

The Government forecasts that advancing the payment date will result in an additional £110 million of tax revenue in the year of change.  However, the tighter deadline will add further administrative burdens, especially for transactions involving large portfolios of properties subject to existing occupational leases, and it is therefore hoped that the consultation will also address ways of simplifying and streamlining the filing process.

For more information contact James Summers

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