Land transaction return SDLT, late filing penalty

MovingForwards

The solicitor will appeal the fine and if that fails they will pay it; appeals usually work.

user1977

MovingForwards said:

The solicitor will appeal the fine and if that fails they will pay it; appeals usually work.

What would the grounds for appeal be in this case?

pinkteapot

Just to add to the chorus: I've bought several times and never had anything to do with the stamp duty return - definitely something your solicitor has messed up! 

If you don't get a rapid reply from your solicitor, follow the firm's complaints procedure (ring and ask for it if necessary, but it should have been provided to you with all the paperwork when you first instructed them). 

Does the letter give a payment deadline anywhere? HMRC will follow up on penalty notices and the debt is in your name so you don't want it escalating and later leading to harm to your credit history (it won't at this stage). You've probably got a decent amount of time, but do shout at your solicitor and make clear to them this needs dealing with urgently (given that you said they were rubbish). 

If the solicitor says they'll pay HMRC direct, make sure you phone HMRC and check it's definitely been paid. 

SDLT_Geek

GreenCat80 said:

Thank you everyone, I was in a bit of a panic about, I feel a lot better now and will contact the solicitor next week to ask them if they are going to pay it 🤞🏻

It would be helpful to others who are looking for assistance in the future, if you could change the title of the thread.  "Land transaction return SDLT, late filing penalty" would be better.

MovingForwards

user1977 said:

MovingForwards said:

The solicitor will appeal the fine and if that fails they will pay it; appeals usually work.

What would the grounds for appeal be in this case?

Depends what excuse they come up with, as I've not touched OPs case I couldn't say 😉

GreenCat80

Thanks @pinkteapot, this worries me as it says 30 days, the letter is dated 20th December but it only arrived yesterday 

user1977

GreenCat80 said:

Thanks @pinkteapot, this worries me as it says 30 days, the letter is dated 20th December but it only arrived yesterday 

Don't be worried, it will be sorted by the solicitors. It will not affect your credit record unless HMRC actually go to court with it - which is immensely unlikely and wouldn't happen quickly anyway.

GreenCat80

thanks everyone for your help and input, I have just had an email back from the solicitor to say they have paid the penalty, phew! 

RAS

Excellent outcome. Pleased for you.