Stamp Duty

In any transaction, stamp duty is something which has to be considered as part of the cost of the transaction.

While stamp duty rates have fallen in recent years, the amount of stamp duty payable on a transaction can still be significant and may have to be built into the financing costs of the transaction.

We can assist our clients in ensuring that stamp duty costs are kept to a minimum by working with the client’s legal advisor to consider if specific relieving provisions of the stamp duty legislation are relevant to the transaction and can therefore be utilised.

The analysis must take into account the nature of the transaction and the consideration involved. The tax analysis and advice will vary depending on what the transaction involves, for example is it:

• A share deal,
• An asset disposal,
• A transfer of business, or
• A disposal of intangible assets