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Stamp Duty and shares, stocks and marketable securities

Shares and share options

Transferring shares, stocks or marketable securities

You may buy or receive a gift of shares, stocks or marketable securities (shares). The shares will usually be transferred by way of a stock transfer form or an electronic transfer order.  These are referred to as 'instruments'.

You must pay Stamp Duty on the instrument (for example, a stock transfer form or electronic transfer order) which transfers the shares to you. Stamp Duty applies if the shares are in an Irish company, unless the transfer is subject to an exemption or relief.

If the shares are not in an Irish company, you may still have to pay Stamp Duty. For further information, please see When is an instrument liable to Stamp Duty?.

You may be able to claim an exemption or relief. For example, you do not pay Stamp Duty if:

  • the consideration is €1,000 or less
  • the shares do not derive the bulk of their value from immoveable property 
  • and
  • the instrument is not part of a larger transaction, or series of transactions.

This exemption applies to instruments executed on, or after, 24 December 2008.

  • Example 1

    David owns 210 shares in XYZ Ltd, an Irish company.

    David sells the shares to you in a single transaction for €5,600.

    David executes seven stock transfer forms, each of which transfers 30 shares valued at €800 to you.

    Although the consideration in each instrument is less than €1,000, each instrument is part of a larger transaction. You must:

    • file seven Stamp Duty returns (one for each stock transfer form)

    and

    • tick the box on each return stating that the transaction is part of a larger transaction.

    You pay Stamp Duty on each stock transfer form.

Special rules and rates apply to shares deriving their value, or the greater part of their value, from immovable property. The immovable property must be non-residential property. These rules are explained in Certain property deriving its value from immovable property.

Electronic transfers

Shares may be transferred through a relevant system which is a securities settlement system operated by a Central Securities Depositary (CSD). Stamp Duty is usually collected and remitted to Revenue by CSD, for example, through CREST. You do not file a Stamp Duty Return. Further information on electronic transfer of shares can be found in Part 6: Special provisions relating to uncertificated securities.

Agreements relating to shares

You must pay Stamp Duty on written agreements relating to the transfer of a beneficial interest in shares.

  • Example 2

    John owns shares in XYZ Ltd. His name is on the share register of XYZ Ltd as being the owner of the shares. He agrees to sell the shares to Mary. After the sale, Mary does not want her name to be on the share register.

    In the share purchase agreement, John agrees to hold the shares as Mary's nominee.

    Mary must pay Stamp Duty on the agreement.

Stamp Duty on share options

You pay Stamp Duty on:

  • written options to buy or sell shares
  • and
  • written transfers of existing share options.

You may be able to claim an exemption or relief. For example, most option agreements and transfers of existing share option agreements are exempt from Stamp Duty.

Stamp Duty on the issue of shares

You do not pay Stamp Duty on the issue of shares.

Next: Shares and rates

Published: 13 September 2024 Print this page

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