Stamp duty land tax return

[Sue Balou]

How easy is to fill in your own stamp duty land tax return when purchasing a freehold property in England? Our solicitor has said we can do this ourselves and save 50 gbp plus VAT (which is what they charge to do it for you).

Thanks
sb

[kags]

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/SO/sdlt_website.htm

this site gives samples of the various types of returns you have to complete, so you can get an idea of what is required.

[Nether Edge]

Form SDLT1 is very complex. Seven pages of questions (71 in all- count 'em!). SDLT office in Bootle are dreadful at telephone advice too. The pre-2003 system worked smoothly and relatively painlessly (so far as tax ever is).
And there are penalties (�100) if you get it wrong, plus it then delays registration of your ownership.
All in all, best to pay the �50!