Did I Overpay Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) can be confusing. At SCA Tax, we see many buyers discover they’ve paid more than they should have. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Did I overpay stamp duty?”, here’s what you need to know.

Why Overpayments Happen

Overpayments are more common than you might think. The main reasons include:

• Second home surcharge refunds - If you paid the 3% additional property rate but sold your previous main home within 3 years, you may be eligible for a refund.
• Residential vs non-residential rates - Mixed-use properties or commercial elements may mean you were charged at a higher rate than necessary.
• Multiple buyers or ownership structures - Certain reliefs could reduce your SDLT liability.
• Calculation mistakes - SDLT is tiered and complex; errors at completion happen frequently.

How to Check If You Overpaid

• Review your SDLT return - This is the form submitted to HMRC when you purchased your property.
• Check the property type -Ensure it was treated correctly for SDLT purposes.
• Consider your circumstances at the time - Did you own more than one property? Did you sell your main residence shortly after buying?
• Check the deadlines - Depending on the type of claim, some SDLT refunds can be claimed up to 4 years after the filing date. Acting sooner is better, but you may still be eligible even if it’s been several years.

How SCA Tax Can Help

At SCA Tax, we specialise in identifying overpaid SDLT and helping buyers claim refunds quickly and accurately. Our process includes:

• Reviewing your SDLT return and HMRC payment.
• Identifying any reliefs you may have missed.
• Preparing and submitting your refund claim to HMRC.

Even if your solicitor handled the original purchase, we often find refunds that can save clients thousands of pounds.

Why It’s Important to Act

Mistakes in SDLT payments happen frequently, but time limits are strict. Acting now could mean recovering money you didn’t know you were owed.

Thinking you might have overpaid? Contact SCA Tax today for a free, no-obligation SDLT review and find out if you’re eligible for a refund.