HM Revenue and Customs confirms on its website the abolition of SDLT self-certificates for land registration purposes. HMRC is particularly concerned to emphasise the complete nature of the abolition of the SDLT 60.Quoting the HMRC announcement, the Revenue states: “Some people have asked whether there are any circumstances in which a certificate that no SDLT is due (form SDLT 60) is now required. We are happy to confirm that there are now no circumstances in which an SDLT 60 is required in order for documents to be registered. Indeed, the current Finance Bill legislates to remove all reference to this form. Subject to Parliamentary approval, these consequential amendments will become law when the Bill receives Royal assent later this summer.”
The Revenue also states as follows: “It may also help to mention that the acquisition of a chargeable interest other than a major interest in land remains notifiable only where there is chargeable consideration for which SDLT is due at a rate of 1 per cent or more. The acquisition of an easement, for example, is an acquisition of a chargeable interest other than a major interest in land. So, if the chargeable consideration on it was at the rate of 1 per cent or higher, the transaction would be notifiable.” This is helpful, since the Land Registry’s own announcement on the abolition of self-certificates seemed to imply that an easement granted, say, for a fee of £75,000 was notifiable. It was not previously, and is not now, a notifiable transaction.
Full details of the announcement can be seen at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/so/budget-changes-notreq.htm