Stamp Duty Refund Guides
Practical guides to help you understand SDLT overpayments and navigate HMRC claims.
Page 2 of 5
Stamp Duty on Gifted Property: When You Do and Don't Pay
A pure gift of property with no mortgage = no SDLT. But take on the mortgage and you'll owe stamp duty on the debt. The rules are counterintuitive — here's the complete picture.
Stamp Duty and Divorce: What Happens to Property in a Separation
Court-ordered property transfers in a divorce are SDLT-free. But informal transfers, mortgage assumption, and the 'main residence' rule create traps. Full guide.
Stamp Duty on Auction Purchases: The 14-Day Rule and What It Means
Buy at auction and you've got 28 days to complete and 14 days after that to pay SDLT. Miss either deadline and the penalties bite fast. Here's how to stay on top of it.
Stamp Duty on Off-Plan Purchases: When Is It Due?
Buying off-plan? You'll exchange now but complete years later. SDLT is due 14 days after completion — at the rates in force on completion day. Here's the timing risk.
Stamp Duty on Annexes and Granny Flats: Multiple Dwellings Relief
If your purchase included a self-contained annexe, Multiple Dwellings Relief can cut the SDLT bill significantly. Plus: HMRC has 1 year from filing to challenge — what to know.
Stamp Duty When Buying Through a Limited Company
Buying property through a Ltd company doesn't avoid SDLT — it adds the 5% surcharge, plus ATED on properties above £500k. Here's when it makes sense anyway.
Stamp Duty on Houseboats and Mobile Homes: The Surprising Rules
A houseboat that floats is not subject to SDLT. A mobile home that doesn't fix to the land usually isn't either. But moor on owned land and it gets complicated.
Stamp Duty on Commercial-to-Residential Conversions
Buying a pub, office, or shop to convert into a home? Non-residential SDLT rates apply — and they can be dramatically lower. Here's how the saving works.
Can You Claim Stamp Duty Back on a Property You Never Moved Into?
Surcharge refund eligibility depends on the timeline, not on whether you ever lived in the new property. Here's why never moving in doesn't disqualify your claim.
Stamp Duty Refund When You Sold Your Previous Home After Completion
The most common SDLT refund: you paid the 5% surcharge, then sold your old home within 3 years. Here's the full mechanics, the documentation, and the typical refund size.
Stamp Duty Refund After a Chain Collapse: What Are Your Options?
Your purchase completed, your sale fell through, the surcharge is paid — and the 36-month clock is now ticking. Here's what to do and what your options actually are.
Is a Stamp Duty Refund Taxable? What HMRC Says
A refund of SDLT overpaid is not income — it's not taxable. But the fee a claims firm charges isn't tax-deductible. Here's the full picture, including DIY vs paid options.
Think You've Overpaid?
Get a free estimate in 60 seconds, then choose how to proceed.