You must pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) if you buy a property or land over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland.
The tax is different if the property or land is in:
You pay the tax when you:
The threshold is where SDLT starts to apply. If you buy a property for less than the threshold, there’s no SDLT to pay.
The current SDLT threshold for residential properties is £250,000. This changes on 1 October 2021.
The threshold for non-residential land and properties is £150,000.
The SDLT thresholds will be:
These thresholds are the same as they were before 8 July 2020.
From 1 July 2021, you’ll get a discount (relief) that means you’ll pay less or no tax if both the following apply:
You’ll also be eligible for this discount if you bought your first home before 8 July 2020.
How much you pay depends on whether the land or property is residential use or non-residential or mixed-use.
If you’re buying a residential property there are different rates of SDLT if:
You can use HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Stamp Duty Land Tax calculator to work out how much tax you’ll pay.
You may be able to reduce the amount of tax you pay by claiming relief, such as if you’re a first-time buyer or purchasing more than one property (‘multiple dwellings’).
The total value you pay SDLT on (sometimes called the ‘consideration’) is usually the price you pay for the property or land.
Sometimes it might include another type of payment like:
Find out how to work out the consideration if your situation is complicated.
You must send an SDLT return to HMRC and pay the tax within 14 days of completion.
If you have a solicitor, agent or conveyancer, they’ll usually file your return and pay the tax on your behalf on the day of completion and add the amount to their fees. They’ll also claim any relief you’re eligible for, such as if you’re a first-time buyer.
If they do not do this for you, you can file a return and pay the tax yourself.
There are certain situations where you do not need to send a return.
You may be charged penalties and interest if you do not file your return and make your payment within 14 days of completion.