Stamp Duty: The Hidden Cost Many Homebuyers Overpay (and How to Get It Back)

You’ve finally found the right place. The offer’s been accepted, the paperwork’s endless, and just when you think you’re done - there it is. Stamp Duty.

It’s the bit nobody gets excited about. A big, boring tax bill that you pay because you have to. But here’s the thing most people don’t realise: tens of thousands of homebuyers in the UK have overpaid Stamp Duty - often by thousands of pounds - and don’t even know it.

So, what actually is Stamp Duty?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax you pay when you buy property or land in England or Northern Ireland. In theory, it’s straightforward. In reality? It’s anything but.

The rules are packed with exceptions, reliefs, and technicalities that even experienced solicitors can overlook. And that’s how so many people end up paying more than they should.

At SCA Tax, this is exactly what we deal with every day: helping homeowners and investors reclaim money that was never owed in the first place.

Why so many people overpay

When you’re buying a home, it’s normal to assume your solicitor has the Stamp Duty bit covered. The trouble is, most conveyancers aren’t tax specialists. They’ll plug the numbers into HMRC’s calculator, get a figure, and move on.

But that calculator doesn’t account for the finer details, and that’s where costly mistakes happen.

Here are just a few examples we see all the time:

• A transaction involving both residential and commercial aspects
• A second home surcharge applied when it didn’t need to be
• Purchases made through companies or trusts
• Complex property structures or group transfers

Each of these can affect how much Stamp Duty you owe - and most buyers never get told.

Can you really get a refund?

Yes, you can. If you bought a property in the last four years, you might be eligible for a Stamp Duty refund.

HMRC allows retrospective claims if the original calculation was wrong, or if your situation changed soon after purchase (for example, if you sold your previous main home).

At SCA Tax, we offer a free, no-obligation review. We’ll go through the fine print of your purchase; title deeds, plans, transaction details, and identify whether there’s a legitimate claim to be made.

If there is, we handle the entire process for you. No forms, no jargon, and no upfront fees. Just straight, professional advice from people who know how HMRC really works.

Why choose SCA Tax?

Because this is what we do, and we do it properly.

We’re not a claims call centre or a generic tax company. We’re a small, expert team that specialises purely in Stamp Duty. We have experience in dealing with SDLT rules, HMRC correspondence, and complex property transactions.

When you work with us, you get:

• Real expertise – We live and breathe Stamp Duty.
• Thorough investigations – No guesswork. Every detail matters.
• Clear communication – We keep you informed from start to finish.
• No win, no fee – If we don’t secure a refund, you don’t pay.

We’ve recovered millions in overpaid Stamp Duty for clients across the UK - from first-time buyers to experienced investors - and we’d love to help you too.

A word of warning…

HMRC doesn’t just hand out refunds. Claims need to be accurate, well-documented, and supported by genuine evidence. That’s why having experienced tax professionals on your side makes such a difference.

A properly prepared claim stands a much better chance of success and avoids any unnecessary back-and-forth with HMRC.

Final thought

Buying property is stressful enough without worrying whether you’ve paid too much tax. The good news is, if you have overpaid Stamp Duty, it’s not too late to put it right.

Getting the right Stamp Duty advice can make all the difference, and potentially save you thousands.

At SCA Tax, our job is to make sure you only ever pay what you owe - no more, no less.

So if you’ve bought property in the last few years, take a minute to check. You might just get a pleasant surprise.