News

Stamp duty cut offers instant saving

• Stamp Duty has been abolished on the first £250,000 of any property purchase, (up from £125,000), making an immediate saving of up to £2,500 for home buyers. Close to half (47%) of all sales in England over the past year were under £250,000.
• First-time buyers could save up to £6,250, because they will now be exempt from stamp duty on the first £425,000. The purchase price at which they can take advantage of this relief has been raised too, from £500,000 to £625,000.
• Second home owners and overseas purchasers will still be required to pay the 3% Higher Rate Additional Dwelling Tax and 2% non-resident surcharge respectively.
• The Chancellor's announcement only applies to England. In Wales, from October 10th no Land Transaction Tax will be payable on homes priced up to £225,000 (current threshold £180,000), a saving of £1,575 on a property priced £225,000. Those paying over £345,000 are set to pay more. 
• For now rates in Scotland remain unchanged, the threshold in Scotland is £145,000. 

Source: Dataloft, HMRC, Land Registry, Welsh Revenue Authority, Revenue Scotland