Stamp Taxes

The rate of stamp duty / stamp duty reserve tax on the transfer of shares and securities is generally payable at 0.5%.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)

Transfers of property are subject to SDLT at the following rates:
Value up to £125,000 (£150,000 for non-residential property)	Nil
Over £125,000 (£150,000) to £250,000	1%
Over £250,000 to £500,000	3%
Over £500,000 - £1,000,000 *	4%
Over £1,000,000 * - £2,000,000 *	5%*
Over £2,000,000*	7%*
* Residential property only. A 15% rate will apply to properties over £2,000,000 purchased by certain "non-natural persons".

New Leases

SDLT is charged according to the net present value of all the rental payments over the term of the lease (NPV), with a single rate of 1% on residential NPV's over £125,000 and on non-residential NPV's over £150,000.

VAT is excluded from treatment as consideration provided the landlord has not opted to charge VAT by the time the lease is granted.

Lease premiums

SDLT on premiums is the same as for transfers of land (except that the zero rate does not apply where the annual rent of a non-residential property is £1,000 or more.)