When is stamp duty due?

Stamp duty must be paid within 14 days of completion (the effective date). Your solicitor handles this payment from the funds held from your property purchase.

Do I pay stamp duty before or after exchange?

Stamp duty is paid after completion, not exchange. Exchange is when contracts are signed; completion is when you get the keys and ownership transfers. You have 14 days from completion to pay.

What happens if stamp duty is paid late?

Late payment incurs automatic penalties: £100 if up to 3 months late, £200 if 3-6 months late, plus interest at 7.75% per annum on the outstanding tax from the due date.

When Do I Pay Stamp Duty?

Understanding payment deadlines and the completion timeline.

Quick Answer: Stamp duty must be paid within 14 days of completion. Your solicitor handles this automatically.

The 14-Day Deadline

In England and Northern Ireland, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) must be paid within 14 days of the "effective date" - usually the completion date when you receive the keys.

Property Purchase Timeline

Stage	What Happens	SDLT Due?
Offer Accepted	Sale agreed, conveyancing begins	No
Exchange	Contracts signed, deposit paid	No
Completion	Keys received, ownership transfers	Clock starts
Within 14 days	Solicitor files return and pays SDLT	Payment due

Late Payment Penalties

Up to 3 months late: £100 penalty
3 to 6 months late: £200 penalty
Plus interest at 7.75% per annum on unpaid tax

Scotland and Wales

Scotland (LBTT): 30 days to file
Wales (LTT): 30 days to file

Emma Richardson, MRICS

Verified Expert

Chartered Surveyor & Property Tax Specialist

Emma Richardson is a RICS-qualified Chartered Surveyor with over 12 years of experience in UK property taxation. She founded Stamp Duty Calculator to help buyers understand the complex world of property transaction taxes.

MRICSBSc (Hons) Estate Management

Published: 15 January 2026

Updated: 13 January 2026

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