What is Stamp Duty?

Overview

Stamp Duty explained

Stamp Duty is a tax on certain instruments (written documents).

Stamp Duty is chargeable on instruments that transfer land and buildings situated in Ireland. Such instruments are usually called ‘Deeds of Transfer’ or ‘Deeds of Conveyance’.

Stamp Duty is also chargeable on the following instruments:

• written leases of land and buildings situated in Ireland
• instruments that transfer shares or stocks of Irish companies (Stock Transfer forms)
• instruments that transfer property as a gift
• certain written agreements or contracts to transfer property
• certain written agreements to lease
• instruments that relate to Irish property or something done or to be done in Ireland, regardless of where they are executed.

You can find more information on instruments liable in Schedule 1 and Part 5 of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act, 1999.

In addition, you also pay Stamp Duty on:

• financial cards (including ATM, debit cards, charge and credit cards)
• levies (including life and non-life insurance premiums, pensions, health insurers, contributions to the Insurance Compensation Fund)
• electronic transfers of shares, stocks and marketable securities through CREST
• cheques and other bills of exchange.

Note

Stamp Duty is not chargeable on promissory notes drawn, made or executed (signed, sealed or both) on or after 2 April 2007.

Next: When is an instrument liable to Stamp Duty?