Most firms are comfortable describing how they deal with SDLT. Far fewer are confident evidencing it.
That distinction matters. When the SRA or CQS review your processes, the focus is not just on whether an SDLT return was submitted, but how the position was reached, what information was relied upon, and whether that approach is consistent across the firm.
A well run SDLT process is not just a completed return. It is a structured, evidenced decision. A file should show the factual basis of the transaction, confirmation from the client that those facts are correct, the reasoning behind the SDLT treatment, and a clear record of how the calculation was reached. It should also be obvious who was responsible for the tax position and how that position was reviewed before submission.
In practice, many firms struggle to demonstrate this consistently. SDLT is often treated as an administrative step rather than a tax decision. Different fee earners take slightly different approaches, documentation varies from file to file, and the reasoning behind the outcome is not always recorded in a way that stands up to scrutiny later.
The issue is rarely competence. It is structure. Without a consistent framework, even a technically correct return can be difficult to justify if it is challenged months or years later.
This is exactly the issue Concierge is designed to address. Rather than relying on individual approaches, Concierge introduces a consistent structure across every matter. The factual inputs are captured through a defined workflow, the SDLT position is clearly documented, and the audit trail is complete from instruction through to submission. Concierge is also the named submitting tax agent on the return, with authority captured directly from the purchaser, so responsibility for the SDLT position is clearly defined from the outset.
That means when a file is reviewed, the answer is not reconstructed after the event. It is already there.
To find out more about Compass Concierge book a no obligation meeting here.