HMRC SDLT: SDLTM05020 – Scope: How much is chargeable: Contingent, uncertain or unascertained consideration: Definitions FA03/S51(3)

Contingent, Uncertain or Unascertained Consideration

This section of the HMRC internal manual provides definitions and guidance on contingent, uncertain, or unascertained consideration under FA03/S51(3). It outlines the principles for determining how much is chargeable in such cases.

• Explains the concept of contingent consideration.
• Defines uncertain and unascertained consideration.
• Discusses the implications for tax calculations.
• Provides examples to illustrate these concepts.
• Offers guidance on compliance with relevant legislation.

Understanding Contingent, Uncertain, or Unascertained Consideration in Stamp Duty

What is Consideration?

In the context of stamp duty, consideration refers to the value exchanged in a transaction. It is the price paid for a property or a right, which forms the basis for calculating stamp duty tax. Understanding how different types of consideration work is essential to determine how much stamp duty you need to pay.

Key Definitions

When dealing with consideration, it’s important to understand the terms contingent, uncertain, and unascertained. Let’s break these down:

– Contingent: This refers to payments that will occur only if a certain future event takes place. For instance, if you agree to pay a seller an extra amount dependent on planning permission being granted, that payment is contingent on that future event. Conversely, if payments will stop when a certain event occurs, then the payment is also considered contingent. For example, if you are set to pay rent but the lease is terminated due to a future event, your payment would cease.

– Uncertain: This describes situations where the amount or value is not fixed and instead relies on future events that aren’t guaranteed. For instance, if you plan to pay a seller based on future sales performance of a property, the exact amount is uncertain until the sales outcome is known.

– Unascertained: This term is often used interchangeably with uncertain. It indicates that the amount or value is not yet determined, and it depends on future occurrences.

How to Approach Consideration for Stamp Duty

When calculating stamp duty, how you handle contingent, uncertain, or unascertained consideration can impact the amount you owe. Here’s a straightforward approach:

1. Contingent Consideration

– If a payment is contingent on a future event happening, assume that the event will occur, and you should factor this amount into the calculation of stamp duty.
– Example: If you agree to pay £100,000 for a property with an additional £20,000 contingent on planning permission, you need to consider the total of £120,000 for stamp duty since you assume the planning permission will be granted.

2. Ceasing Payments Due to Future Events

– If a payment is set to stop based on a future event, you assume that the event will not occur, and you should include the payment in the calculation of stamp duty.
– Example: If you have an arrangement to pay a royalty for a property but it stops if the property is sold, you must include the total royalty amount in your calculations since you assume the sale does not happen.

3. Uncertain or Unascertained Payments

– For uncertain or unascertained amounts, the approach is slightly different. You can treat a payment as unascertained in cases where you genuinely cannot determine the amount at the time of the transaction.
– Example: If you agree to pay a seller a percentage of profits from a rental agreement, as profits are not fixed, the total amount cannot be ascertained until the rental agreement is executed.

Importance of Accurate Reporting

When submitting details regarding stamp duty, it’s important to report the correct amount of consideration. Incorrectly reporting contingent, uncertain, or unascertained payments can lead to substantial fines or legal issues.

– Always provide full disclosure of the terms of any agreement. This includes stating all amounts that are contingent on future events.
– Keep clear records of valuations and the method used to calculate uncertain or unascertained amounts.

Examples of Consideration Types

To help illustrate these concepts further, let’s explore a few examples:

– Example 1: Sale of a Property with Future Payments
Imagine you purchase a property for £250,000. The seller agrees to accept an additional payment of £50,000 contingent on the property achieving specific rental income levels over the next two years. In this case, report the total consideration as £300,000 for stamp duty purposes.

– Example 2: Rent Linked to Sales Performance
In a situation where a tenant pays a base rent of £20,000 but agrees to pay an additional amount equivalent to 10% of sales revenue above a certain threshold, the additional payment is uncertain. The tenant cannot say now what that payment will be until the end of the sales period and the revenue can be calculated.

– Example 3: Conditional Bonuses
A buyer purchases a commercial property for £500,000 with a clause to pay a £100,000 bonus if the property generates a certain level of income. Since the decision to pay the bonus depends on future earnings, for stamp duty, total consideration would be considered as £500,000 since the payment is contingent on future events.

Considerations for Professional Guidance

Due to the complexities of stamp duty calculations and the implications of how different types of consideration can affect your payments, seeking professional advice can be beneficial.

– Consider consulting with a financial adviser or a solicitor with expertise in property transactions. They can provide insights on how best to structure a deal to ensure your stamp duty obligations are met correctly.
– Professional advice can also help ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, which can help avoid any potential penalties.

Documentation and Evidence

Having the right documentation is critical. Here are tips on what you may need to support your claims regarding payment types:

– Clear Agreements: All agreements should be documented, specifying any contingent or uncertain payments and the terms involved.
– Valuation Reports: If applicable, obtain professional valuations to support uncertain or variable considerations.
– Transaction Records: Keep detailed records of all transactions and adjust them over time to reflect accurate values as they become known.

Making Payments

When it comes time to pay your stamp duty, you will need to ensure the correct amount is being calculated based on the consideration stated:

– Use online calculators provided by HMRC to ensure accuracy.
– Report the total consideration that includes all necessary amounts, whether they are contingent, uncertain, or unascertained.

You can find more detailed guidance on specific cases and obligations by visiting the HMRC site and looking into specific codes such as SDLTM05020, which discuss scope on chargeable consideration.

Keeping informed and adhering to these guidelines can help you navigate the stamp duty landscape effectively, ensuring that your transactions are compliant and accurately represented to HMRC.

Useful article? You may find it helpful to read the original guidance here: HMRC SDLT: SDLTM05020 – Scope: How much is chargeable: Contingent, uncertain or unascertained consideration: Definitions FA03/S51(3)

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