Tax when you buy shares

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Buying shares using a stock transfer form

You must pay Stamp Duty on your shares if:

  • you buy shares through a stock transfer form
  • the transaction is over £1,000

You pay 0.5% duty, which will be rounded up to the nearest £5.

ExampleIf you buy shares worth £1,050, you’ll pay 0.5% on this amount which is £5.25. You’ll round this up to £10 to pay in Stamp Duty.

For shares under £1,000, you will not need to pay anything.

Get a stock transfer form

You can get a stock transfer form from:

  • a broker
  • a lawyer or an accountant who deals in shares

You can also download a stock transfer form from the internet.

Find out what you need to include in a stock transfer form.

Send the transfer form to HMRC and pay Stamp Duty

You must send a copy of your stock transfer form to the Stamp Office within 30 days of it being signed and dated.

Email an electronic version or a scan of your paper form to stampdutymailbox@hmrc.gov.uk.

If you cannot email your stock transfer form, send a photocopy by post. You must keep the original signed document for your records.

BT - Stamp Duty

HM Revenue and Customs

BX9 2AS
United Kingdom

There is a different address to send a stock transfer form by courier.

You must also pay the Stamp Duty within 30 days of the stock transfer form being signed and dated.

You may get a penalty if you do not pay on time.