Stamp Duty: software could end problem of SDLT returns

Two IT developers have had their conveyancing software applications accredited to Revenue & Customs' recently launched on-line submission process, which could make the headache of rejected stamp duty land tax (SDLT) forms a thing of the past.


The separate programmes developed by SDLT.co.uk and Easy Convey enable practitioners to file the eight-page SDLT document via the Internet without having to print it out - avoiding the notorious scanning process that has lead to so many rejected forms, delay and confusion.


To submit forms electronically, firms should register on-line at www.SDLT.co.uk to receive its software, or obtain Easy Convey's conveyancing administration software application (www.easyconvey.com).


Practitioners will need to complete a direct debit with either company and register with the government gateway to obtain a unique identification number - which takes up to seven days.


Both pieces of software can be installed on either a single computer or across an entire network and allow default answers to be set to the questions and data to be stored off-line.


Completed forms are validated before being submitted electronically. The data entered is encrypted using government-approved software and sent on-line to the government gateway. From there, it is passed on to the Revenue, which decrypts it. Upon receipt of the completed application, the Revenue provides a submission report to the conveyancer confirming validation and submission.


Archie Courage, director of Newcastle-based IT company Courage & Co, which developed the SDLT.co.uk software, said: 'Of the 1.7 million SDLT transactions per year, the Revenue is expecting 1.2 million of them to be submitted electronically.


'E-submission is not going to be compulsory, but in my view, there will be very strong encouragement from the Revenue for conveyancers to use it.'