Changes to Stamp Duty Filling and Payment Time Limits

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From 1st March 2019 a new time limit applies to file a Stamp Duty Land Tax Return when you purchase land in England. The new time limit reduces the time you have to file, return and pay tax due from 30 days to 14 days from the effective date of the transaction.

The changes were proposed in the Autumn Statement in 2015 when the government announced that the time limit for filing to Stamp Duty Land Tax would be reduced from 30 days to 14 days during 2017 to 2018. As a consequence, a Consultation document, Stamp Duty Land Tax: Changes to the Filing and Payment Process, was published on 10 August 2016. At the Spring Budget in 2017 it was announced the changes would be delayed to allow HMRC time to address issues raised in the consultation. It was then announced in the Autumn Budget in 2017 that changes would come into force from 1 March 2019.

The changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax will not change liabilities for purchasers but is to improve efficiency of the Stamp Duty Land Tax system. Stamp Duty Land Tax will therefore need to be paid within 14 days of a completed transaction to avoid any unpaid penalties and interest from 1 March 2019.

If you need any assistance or advice with your Stamp Duty Land Tax Return, please get in touch.