Claiming back stamp duty from 2001

wozzer1969_2

can anyone help
i have been told i should not have paid stamp duty when i bought my home in 2001, after contacting the solicitors they agreed but said there was only a 2 year claim window, is this true, and can i do anything else to get this money back as £750 is not a small amount
help

lincroft1710

If stamp duty should not have been paid, why did your solicitor pay it on your behalf? If he/she at fault then you may have claim against solicitor for mishandling of client's funds.

wozzer1969_2

Thanks for that info,should i approach my solicitor first to ask again for the money or seek more legal advice

lincroft1710

Ask solicitor if they will refund you the money they paid to Stamp Office. If they don't you may have problem as you're now outside 7 year limit for recovering money owed.

wozzer1969_2

Hi
when my wife spoke to the solicitor she was told she needs to speak to inland revenue.
to be honest it looks like this may be a lost cause,
but thanks for your advice

lincroft1710

I think your wife has been fobbed off. Your solicitor has paid the money on your behalf and either he has incorrectly calculated amount to be paid to Stamps Office or SO have made incorrect request for money.

Meant to ask you, why do you think you should not have paid Stamp Duty, or at least £750 worth.

wozzer1969_2

hi
it had something to do with being in a certain post code, something about a deprived area. we were told about claiming the money back by our surrounding neighbours who have claimed theirs back about 3/4 yrs ago. sorry to say we were not aware of this.
i will call the solicitors and see where we get, but i will let you know.
thanks again.

lincroft1710

I've just googled relevant HMRC website and it appears properties which sold for between £60,000 and £150,000 on or after 30 Nov 2001 would be given exemption. It is worth checking if your neighbours' postcodes are same as yours - from experience postcodes aren't always logical.

wozzer1969_2

hi
we completed on that date and paid £65000 for our home so we do qualify by the sounds of it.
have now wrote a letter to solicitors who handled it asking for our money back based on the fact our monies were mishandled at the time.
will keep you updated

thanks