Stamp taxes

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Stamp duty land tax (SDLT)

Introduction and territorial scope

For a comprehensive introduction to stamp duty land tax (SDLT) and other stamp taxes, see Practice Note: Introductory guide to stamp taxes.

SDLT is payable on most UK (excluding Scotland and Wales, see below) land transactions where the consideration for the transaction exceeds the minimum threshold. Different rates apply depending on the type of property, the type of purchaser and the amount payable for the property.

SDLT ceased to apply to any land transaction involving any interests in or over land in Scotland from 1 April 2015 following the enactment of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013. From that date, the relevant tax in Scotland for property transactions is the LBTT—see Practice Notes: Scotland: Land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT)—the basics and Scotland: Land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT)—chargeable consideration and rates of LBTT.

In respect of land in Wales, LTT replaced SDLT on 1 April 2018 (following the enactment of the Land Transaction Tax and Anti-avoidance of Devolved Taxes (Wales) Act 2017). See Practice Note: Wales: Land transaction

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