Why Stamp Duty Form Changes?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) forms have changed, but why?

The forms used to report Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) due on a purchase of UK land and property are changing. The lead purchaser must now provide an identity number such as NI number and date of birth. Where the purchaser is a company the company's tax reference number (UTR) or VAT registration number should be used. Partnerships should use their UTR or VAT registration number.

If the lead purchaser does not have any of the above reference numbers, as they are not registered for tax in the UK, they should use another unique reference number such as passport number, and state the country of issue of the document.

The new forms have been available since 11 April 2011, and will become compulsory from 3 July 2011. The online filing system for SDLT will incorporate the changes from 3 July.

The Taxman may well be collecting the additional information for a reason, perhaps to cross-reference to taxpayers files!