STSM152010 - Compliance: Stamp Duty interest: Stamp Duty interest

Section 15A Stamp Act 1891 sets out when and how interest is charged on the late payment of stamp duty.

Interest is due if:

• the document is liable to ad valorem stamp duty and
• that duty or any part of it remains unpaid more than 30 days after the date of the execution of the document.

The interest charge runs from the 31st day after execution of the document to the date payment is received by HMRC.

The amount of interest is rounded down to the nearest multiple of £5. No interest is payable if that amount is less than £25.

Date of execution

The date of execution, for instruments not under seal, the date the instrument was signed.

Date of payment

The date of a cheque payment is taken as the day the cheque is received in Stamp Taxes, provided that the cheque is met the first time it is presented to the bank.

See STSM066020 for the interest charge in respect of late notification and payment of bearer instrument duty.