Three-year time limit extended for higher rate refunds of SDLT

Homeowners in England and Northern Ireland unable to sell their home within three years of buying a replacement property may be able to claim a stamp duty land tax refund.

HMRC has updated its guidance on exceptional circumstances that allow refunds beyond the three-year time limit to include the impact of Covid-19 and action taken by a public authority. The guidance states that after the reason has ended the taxpayer must sell the previous home to be able to apply for the refund.

More information on the scope of this extension to the three-year period including examples is in HMRC's Stamp Duty Land Tax Manual.

The Scottish parliament temporarily extended its refund period for land and buildings transaction tax from 18 months to three years for some taxpayers. Under new legislation introduced by the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No 2) Act...