What Documents Do You Need for a Stamp Duty Refund Claim?

Why Document Preparation Matters

HMRC processes SDLT refund claims based on the information you supply. Claims with complete, accurate documentation are processed in the standard 15 working days online. Claims with missing or unclear information are delayed — and in some cases rejected outright, requiring you to reapply.

Gathering your documents before you start the online claim avoids frustration and speeds up your refund.

The Key Document — Your SDLT5 Certificate

The most important document for your claim is the **SDLT5 certificate** issued by HMRC when you bought your new property. This certificate contains the Unique Transaction Reference (UTR) for the original SDLT return, which HMRC uses to locate the transaction in their systems.

The SDLT5 should have been provided to you by your solicitor after completion of your property purchase. It is typically sent alongside the completion statement and other completion documents. It is a one-page document, often on green-coloured paper, headed "Certificate of payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax."

If you cannot find your SDLT5:

• Contact the solicitor who handled your purchase — they should hold a copy on your file
• If the solicitor has closed or wound up their practice, contact HMRC directly on 0300 322 7835 with the property address and completion date — they can usually locate the transaction

Completion Statement from Your New Property Purchase

HMRC needs to verify the purchase price of the new property and the amount of SDLT paid, including the surcharge element. Your completion statement — sometimes called a financial statement or settlement figure — from the purchase shows this clearly. Your solicitor prepared this document before completion; it should be in your completion bundle.

Completion Statement from the Sale of Your Previous Home

To verify that the disposal took place and confirm the date, HMRC requires evidence of the sale of your previous main home. The completion statement from that sale — showing the completion date and sale price — serves this purpose.

If you do not have this, your solicitor who handled the sale should hold a copy. Estate agents sometimes retain financial statements too, though this is less reliable.

Land Registry Evidence (Sometimes Required)

In some cases, HMRC may also ask for Land Registry confirmation that the transfer of the previous property has been registered. If your solicitor registered the sale at Land Registry promptly (which they are obliged to do), you can obtain a copy of the title register from Land Registry's portal at www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry for a small fee.

This is not always required upfront but may be asked for if HMRC has questions about your claim.

Your Bank Details

The refund is paid by BACS directly to the bank account you specify on the claim form. Have your sort code and account number ready.

National Insurance Number

Your National Insurance number is required to verify your identity as part of the claim. This should be readily available on your payslip, P60, or through your personal tax account at HMRC.

For Claims Made by a Solicitor or Agent

If a solicitor or agent is making the claim on your behalf, they will need a letter of authority from you confirming they are authorised to act. HMRC will correspond with and pay the agent, not directly to you, unless the claim specifies otherwise.

Common Reasons for Document-Related Delays

• SDLT5 certificate not found; HMRC cannot locate the transaction
• Completion statement does not clearly show the surcharge amount paid
• Sale completion date is unclear or undocumented
• Bank account details entered incorrectly on the online form

Preparing all of the above before starting the claim removes these obstacles.

Use our Stamp Duty Refund Calculator at Property Passport UK to confirm the amount of the surcharge refund you should be entitled to — a useful cross-check before you start the formal claim process.