VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Stamp Duty Land Tax: Fines

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 29 April 2026UIN 129861

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the time was for HMRC to determine whether to levy a penalty charge for the incorrect payment of residential stamp duty in the last 12 months.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson

Where HMRC identifies an inaccuracy during a compliance check into a Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) return or claim, it is standard practice to also consider whether a penalty is due.

In the vast majority of cases any penalty will be issued at the conclusion of the compliance check, at the same time as when the tax position is decided.

The length of a compliance check depends on multiple factors such as the technical complexity of the issue and whether a customer appeals a decision. HMRC does not record separately the amount of time within compliance checks spent considering whether penalties are due.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim