The Chancellor announced in his Budget on 24 March 2010 that Legislation in Finance Bill 2010 will introduce relief from stamp duty land tax (SDLT) for purchases of residential property at up to £250,000 where the purchaser or all the purchasers are first time buyers and intend to occupy the property as their only or main home. This relief is time-limited to two years.
The new relief will be available for residential purchases where the effective date (normally the date of completion) is on or after 25 March 2010 and before 25 March 2012.
At present the SDLT rate is 1 per cent for residential purchases where the consideration is more than £125,000 and up to £250,000. Finance Bill 2010 will provide relief for residential purchases where the consideration is more than £125,000 but not more than £250,000 and the purchaser or all the purchasers have not previously acquired such property.
If you have any questions about this change, please telephone ;

The Stamp Taxes Helpline on 0845 603 0135. or write to ;

HM Revenue & Customs
Birmingham Stamp Office
9th floor City Centre House
30 Union Street
B2 4AR

Information about all Budget measures is available on the HM Revenue & Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk

For further information visit
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Budget/Budget2010/DG_186500