Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Reliefs in England

Overview

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is charged on property and land transactions in England and Northern Ireland. Reliefs are available to reduce or eliminate SDLT in certain cases, helping to facilitate property transactions. Below is an overview of key SDLT reliefs available in England:

Key SDLT Reliefs

1. Part Exchange (House Building Company)

  • When purchasing a new home from a builder and selling an existing home back to them.
  • Supports easier property sales for individuals and encourages new home sales.
  • More information

2. Relocation of Employment

  • Applies when an employer buys an employee’s home for relocation purposes.
  • Supports workforce mobility without SDLT burden for employees.
  • More information

3. Compulsory Purchase Facilitating Development

  • Used for public authorities acquiring land through compulsory purchase orders.
  • Ensures SDLT does not hinder community development projects.
  • More information

4. Compliance with Planning Obligations

  • For developers transferring property or assets under Section 106 agreements.
  • Encourages infrastructure and community amenities development.
  • More information

5. Group Relief

  • Allows property transfers within corporate groups without SDLT.
  • Facilitates internal reorganisation and asset management.
  • More information

6. Reconstruction Relief

  • For property transfers during company reconstructions or amalgamations.
  • Ensures SDLT does not impede legitimate corporate restructuring.
  • More information

7. Acquisition Relief (Tax at 0.5%)

  • Applies to certain corporate acquisitions involving property.
  • Reduces SDLT rate to align with share transfers.
  • More information

8. Demutualization Reliefs

  • Applies to insurance companies or building societies converting to shareholder-owned entities.
  • Facilitates organisational changes without SDLT.
  • Details: Insurance Company, Building Society

9. Incorporation of a Limited Liability Partnership

  • Applies when property is transferred to a newly incorporated LLP.
  • Encourages business flexibility by facilitating LLP structure adoption.
  • More information

10. Charities Relief

  • Exempts charitable organisations from SDLT for property purchases for charitable use.
  • Supports charitable work by reducing acquisition costs.
  • More information

11. Right to Buy Relief

  • Applies to council or housing association tenants buying their homes at a discount.
  • Encourages homeownership by reducing SDLT liability.
  • More information

12. Alternative Property Finance

  • Applies to Islamic finance products such as Sharia-compliant mortgages.
  • Ensures SDLT is only charged once, avoiding multiple charges.
  • More information

13. First-Time Buyers Relief

  • Reduces or eliminates SDLT for first-time home buyers below a set threshold.
  • Helps new buyers enter the property market by lowering initial costs.
  • More information

14. Multiple Dwellings Relief

  • Calculates SDLT based on the average value of properties when buying multiple dwellings.
  • Encourages investment in multiple properties and increases housing supply.
  • More information

15. Pre-Completion Transactions Relief

  • Applies to transactions occurring before the completion of a property sale, such as assignments or sub-sales.
  • Ensures SDLT is charged only once, avoiding double taxation.
  • Promotes efficiency in complex property deals and reduces unnecessary costs.
  • More information

16. Relief from 15% Rate of SDLT

  • Applies to high-value residential property purchases by companies used for qualifying purposes, such as property rental or development.
  • Ensures that legitimate business activities are not subject to penal rates.
  • More information

17. Relief for Freeport Tax Sites

  • Applies to properties purchased within designated Freeport tax sites for qualifying commercial purposes.
  • Encourages economic activity, trade, and investment in specific geographic areas.
  • More information

18. Relief for Investment Zone Tax Sites

  • Applies to properties within designated Investment Zones aimed at supporting economic growth and development.
  • Reduces SDLT costs for qualifying commercial activities to attract investment.
  • More information

19. Diplomatic Privileges Relief

  • Exempts diplomats and certain international organisations from SDLT on property transactions.
  • Facilitates the functioning of diplomatic missions in line with international agreements.
  • More information

20. Sovereign Bodies and International Organisations Relief

  • Applies to property transactions involving sovereign bodies and recognised international organisations.
  • Ensures that such bodies can operate without SDLT hindering property acquisitions.
  • More information

21. Other Reliefs (Including Seeding Relief)

  • Includes various reliefs such as Seeding Relief for Property Authorised Investment Funds (PAIFs).
  • Facilitates property transfers into collective investment schemes without SDLT costs.
  • More information

22. Zero Carbon Homes Relief

  • Encouraged the purchase of new homes that met specific zero-carbon standards.
  • Supported environmental sustainability through reduced or eliminated SDLT.
  • More information

23. Alternative Finance Investment Bonds (Sukuk)

  • Applies to Islamic finance products such as Sukuk bonds.
  • Ensures SDLT does not hinder the use of these bonds for property financing.
  • More information

24. Crofting Community Right to Buy Relief

  • Specific to Scotland, allows crofting communities to purchase croft land without incurring SDLT.
  • Supports rural communities in managing the land they work on.
  • More information

25. Collective Enfranchisement by Leaseholders

  • Allows leaseholders to come together to purchase the freehold of their building.
  • Reduces SDLT liabilities based on individual leaseholder interests.
  • More information

26. Registered Social Landlords Relief

  • Applies to property transactions involving registered social landlords (housing associations).
  • Supports the development and maintenance of affordable housing.
  • More information

27. Relief for Transfers Involving Public Bodies

  • Applies to property transactions involving government departments and local authorities.
  • Ensures SDLT does not hinder the efficient management of public assets.
  • More information

28. Transfer Due to Reorganisation of Parliamentary Constituencies

  • Applies when property is transferred due to changes in parliamentary boundaries.
  • Ensures SDLT does not obstruct administrative adjustments.
  • More information

29. Relief for Freeport and Investment Zone Tax Sites

  • Properties purchased within designated Freeport and Investment Zone tax sites may qualify for SDLT relief.
  • Promotes economic growth, job creation, and regional development.
  • More information

30. Relief for Incorporation of a Limited Liability Partnership

  • Applies when a traditional partnership incorporates as an LLP and transfers property assets.
  • Supports business growth and organisational flexibility.
  • More information