SDLT

A variety of straightforward commercial lease transactions can fail to qualify for the usual SDLT reliefs merely because the lessor or lessee is acting through a nominee, Simon Yeo (KPMG) explains

SDLT planning and s 75A

Devolution is being undertaken piece-meal and inconsistently, writes Lakshmi Narain

Andrew Levene (BKL) answers a query on the sale of residential property owned by a company.

Chris Sanger (EY) examines the smorgasbord of tax measures announced this week

Practitioner views on the Autumn Statement:

• Helen Lethaby (Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer) examines the impact on big business;
• Simon McKie (McKie & Co) reviews the private client perspective;
• James Bullock (Pinsent Masons) considers enforcement and compliance issues;
• David Whiscombe (BKL Tax) assesses the impact on SMEs;
• John Whiting (OTS) gives the Office of Tax Simplification’s view; and
• John Hawksworth (PwC) provides an economic perspective.

Incomplete SDLT return

The Scottish government has announced rates for the new land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT), which is to replace stamp duty land tax (SDLT), in its draft Scottish Budget for 2015/16. The nil rate applies up to £135,000, rising to 12% on transactions over £1,000,000.

Toby Price and Martin Walker (Deloitte) consider the potential stamp tax traps arising on IPOs, including pre-IPO reorganisations and overallotment (or greenshoe) options, as well as offering practical solutions