Stamp Duty Refunds for Missed Reliefs

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a complex and often misunderstood part of the property buying process. Between different rate bands, exemptions, and available reliefs, it’s no surprise that many buyers overpay without even realising.

If you’ve bought property in the last four years, there’s a chance you may have missed a legitimate relief or paid the wrong SDLT rate - and the good news is, it might not be too late to correct it.

Why SDLT Overpayments Happen

SDLT errors are more common than most people think. Even with a solicitor handling your purchase, not all conveyancers are SDLT specialists, and reliefs can easily be overlooked.

Some of the most common causes of overpayment include:

Missed reliefs like Multiple Dwellings Relief (MDR) or Mixed-Use status
Incorrectly applying the higher residential rate when a lower rate applies
Failing to assess property features like annexes or non-residential land
Using a standard calculation tool without specialist input

Could You Be Due a Refund?

If you bought a residential or mixed-use property within the last four years, and the SDLT was not reviewed by a specialist, it’s worth checking whether:

You were eligible for any SDLT reliefs or exemptions
Your property classification was accurate
The surcharge for additional properties was correctly applied (or not)
The property included features that could have reduced your tax bill

Even small misclassifications can result in thousands of pounds in overpaid tax.

What Can You Do if You’ve Overpaid?

The good news: you can correct overpaid SDLT - even after completion.

At SCA Tax, we offer a free assessment to review your transaction and determine if a claim is possible. If so, we’ll prepare and submit a detailed, HMRC-compliant reclaim on your behalf.

HMRC typically allows up to 4 years from the effective date of the transaction to amend errors and claim a refund.

Why Choose SCA Tax?

We are one of the UK’s leading SDLT advisory firms, working directly with property buyers, investors, and solicitors to recover overpaid tax. Our approach is clear, thorough, and results-driven.

Our service includes:

Free eligibility check
Detailed analysis by SDLT specialists
Full management of your claim from start to finish
No-win, no-fee structure for refund cases

Whether you purchased a buy-to-let, family home, annexed property, or mixed-use site, we can tell you if something was missed, and help fix it.

Thinking of Buying a Property Soon?

We don’t just deal with refunds. If you're about to buy, we can also advise before completion, helping you apply the right reliefs from the outset and avoid overpaying in the first place.

Take the First Step

If you’ve bought a property in the last four years, or you're about to, don’t assume your SDLT was handled correctly. We’ll tell you whether something’s been missed, and if you’re entitled to a refund.