Following the announcement on 8 July 2020 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, temporary measures are being introduced to offer a reduction in stamp duty for residential property and stimulate the UK property market.

 

WHAT IS STAMP DUTY?

Stamp duty is a government tax that purchasers of a property pay when they purchase a property in England and Wales. The amount of stamp duty payable on a purchase depends on several factors including:

  1. The consideration involved.
  2. Whether the purchaser is a first time buyer.
  3. Whether the purchaser is replacing a main residence.
  4. Whether the property is being purchased as an additional property
  5. Whether the purchaser is an individual or a company.

 

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?

Firstly, the new rulings only apply to residential property, not commercial or mixed-use, and are effective immediately to purchases that complete on or after 8 July 2020.  If you have completed on a transaction prior to that date, regardless of how recently, you will not benefit from the new rules.

Prior to the announcement, stamp duty for main residences was charged in a tiered system and using the following percentages:

 

Property or lease premium or transfer value SDLT rate
Up to £125,000 Zero
The next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) 2%
The next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000) 5%
The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) 10%
The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) 12%

 

*NB if you are a first-time buyer, then you would not pay any tax up to £300,000 and 5% for the proportion £301,000 – £500,000.

With the new changes, the new rates for calculating stamp duty would be as follows:

 

Property or lease premium or transfer value SDLT rate
Up to £500,000 Zero
The next £425,000 (the portion from £500,001 to £925,000) 5%
The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) 10%
The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) 12%

 

What about the purchase of an additional property or the purchase of a property by a company/non-natural person?

The new rules also mean good news for those involved in a transaction that attracts a higher rate of stamp duty. Although the 3% surcharge still applies, the surcharge of 3% has also been increased to cover the first £500,000. Below are examples of the higher rate tiers before 8 July and from 8 July:

 

Prior to 8 July 2020:

 

Property or lease premium or transfer value SDLT rate
Up to £125,000 3%
The next £125,000 (the portion from £125,001 to £250,000) 5%
The next £675,000 (the portion from £250,001 to £925,000) 8%
The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) 13%
The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) 15%

 

From 8 July 2020:

 

Property or lease premium or transfer value SDLT rate
Up to £500,000 3%
The next £425,000 (the portion from £500,001 to £925,000) 8%
The next £575,000 (the portion from £925,001 to £1.5 million) 13%
The remaining amount (the portion above £1.5 million) 15%

 

The new rules are seen as a stamp duty holiday. They are therefore a temporary measure and will only apply for transactions that complete up to and including 31 March 2021.

If you require any further information, then please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Our solicitors are on hand to assist with any conveyancing or other legal enquiries.

Share this article: