How to reclaim the additional stamp duty on your home

How to reclaim the additional stamp duty on your home

 We had been contacted recently by an unlucky sole who had been caught out by a simple rule.  The facts are that the individual was unable to sell his existing home and therefore decided to buy a new home and to later sell his existing home.  This would involve paying the extra 3% stamp duty on the new home.  He was aware that to reclaim this additional 3% stamp duty he must sell his first home within 3 years of purchasing his new home.  This he did.  However, he was caught out by the second rule:

You MUST make a claim for a refund within 12 months of the later of:

  1. Date of sale of your first home, or
  2. Filing of the SDLT return for your new home

TIP:  Don’t delay making a claim for a refund and here is the link https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-a-refund-of-the-higher-rates-of-stamp-duty-land-tax