If you paid a higher rate of stamp duty because you bought an additional home you may be able to claim the extra back. You can do this if you sell your original home within three years of buying the second property. Or if you give away your original home (to your children, for example) within three years of buying the new property.
For properties sold on or after 29 October 2018 the refund must be claimed within 12 months of whichever comes later out of the following:
- the sale or gift of the previous main residence or
- the date the SDLT return was filed for the new residence
For properties sold on or before 28 October 2018 the refund must be claimed within three months of selling or gifting your previous home or within 12 months of filing your SDLT tax return – whichever date is later.
There may be exceptional circumstances that allow you to request money back if you sell your original home outside of the 3 year limit.