Stamp Duty on Shares Calculator United Kingdom
This stamp duty on shares calculator works out the 0.5% SDRT or Stamp Duty on UK share purchases: electronic deals to the penny, paper ones above £1,000.
What it does
The Stamp Duty on Shares Calculator works out the 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) on electronic share purchases and the 0.5% Stamp Duty on paper stock-transfer purchases, so you know the tax before you buy UK shares.
Data sources & parameters
The figures below drive this calculator. We keep them aligned with the latest official guidance, and each result recalculates automatically whenever a value changes.
| Parameter | Value | Source | Last updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamp Duty / SDRT rate on shares | 0.005 | gov.uk | Effective 1986-10-27 |
| Stamp Duty on shares paper minimum consideration | 1,000 | gov.uk | Effective 2008-03-13Valid_from corrected: the 1,000 pound paper-transfer exemption dates from 13 March 2008, not from the introduction of the tax. |
We always strive to use the latest data for every variable so our results and reports are as accurate as possible. Even so, errors are possible — you should not rely on this tool or its report alone, and we accept no liability for any decision made based on it.
The formula
Electronic: tax = round(consideration × 0.5%) to the penny. Paper: £0 if consideration ≤ £1,000, else round-up(consideration × 0.5%) to the nearest £5.
How it works
It applies the 0.5% rate to what you pay for the shares. For electronic (CREST) deals it charges SDRT to the nearest penny with no minimum; for paper stock transfer forms it charges nothing at or below £1,000 and otherwise rounds the duty up to the nearest £5.
Where it is used
- Costing an electronic share purchase through a broker
- Checking whether a small paper transfer escapes duty
- Working out the true all-in cost of buying UK shares
Worked example
Buying £5,000.00 of shares electronically gives SDRT of … at an effective rate of …, for a total cost of ….
When you buy shares in a UK company you usually pay 0.5% tax on the price. It is called Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (SDRT) for electronic purchases and Stamp Duty for paper stock transfer forms. This calculator applies the 0.5% rate to what you pay and shows the duty, the effective rate and the total cost, so the figure on your contract note is no surprise.
How the 0.5% charge works
The tax is charged on the consideration, the money or money’s worth you give for the shares, not on their market value. For a simple cash purchase that is the price you pay. The rate is a flat 0.5% however large the deal, so a £10,000 purchase carries £50 of duty and a £100,000 purchase £500. There is no tax-free band; the only relief on ordinary purchases is the narrow paper exemption below.
Electronic purchases and SDRT
Almost all share deals today settle electronically through CREST, the UK’s paperless settlement system used by online brokers. These pay Stamp Duty Reserve Tax at 0.5% with no minimum, so even a £200 purchase is charged. SDRT is calculated to the nearest penny, so a £2,500 purchase produces £12.50. Your broker normally collects it at the point of trade and pays HMRC for you, which is why it appears as a separate line on your contract note.
Paper transfers and the £1,000 rule
Shares transferred on a paper stock transfer form pay Stamp Duty instead, with two differences. Transfers where the consideration is £1,000 or less pay no duty, provided the form is certified accordingly. And the duty is rounded up to the nearest £5: a £5,000 paper purchase gives £25, but £5,050 gives £30, because £25.25 is rounded up to the next multiple of five. That rounding can make a paper transfer slightly more expensive than the same electronic deal.
A worked example
You buy £5,000 of shares through your online broker. Settlement is electronic, so you pay SDRT of £25, a total outlay of £5,025 and an effective rate of 0.500%. If the same shares came to you on a paper stock transfer form for £5,000, the duty would also be £25, since £25 is already a multiple of five. At £5,050, though, the paper duty would round up to £30 while the electronic charge would be £25.25.
When no duty is due
Paper transfers of £1,000 or less are exempt. Shares admitted to recognised growth markets, most notably AIM, are generally free of the charge. Gifts where no money changes hands, and some transfers between connected parties, may also fall outside it. The calculator assumes an ordinary cash purchase of chargeable UK securities, so the tax shown will not apply to an exempt instrument.
Assumptions and limitations
This is a planning estimate, not a filing tool. It uses the 0.5% rate and the £1,000 paper minimum, both stored as parameters and reviewed against current government guidance. It assumes the consideration you enter is the chargeable amount for an ordinary UK share purchase. It does not model AIM and other growth market exemptions, the higher 1.5% charge that can apply when shares are moved into some depositary receipt or clearance services, or transactions in a foreign currency. For anything unusual, check current HMRC guidance or ask your broker how the duty will be collected.
About This Tool: Stamp Duty on Shares
Stamp duty on shares: use this tool to get an instant, accurate estimate. The figures follow official GOV.UK guidance and every rate and threshold is kept up to date for 2026. Adjust the inputs above to match your situation, or browse all our calculators to plan your next step.
Tax year 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the stamp duty rate on shares in the UK?
Do I pay stamp duty on every share purchase?
How is stamp duty rounded on shares?
What is the difference between Stamp Duty and SDRT?
Is there stamp duty when I sell shares?
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