Share Transfers. Done right.

Stamp duty at 0.5% is payable on any share transfer for consideration above £1,000, rounded up to the nearest £5. Gifts and transfers under £1,000 are exempt. The stock transfer form must be stamped by HMRC within 30 days of execution - missing the deadline triggers interest and penalties. We calculate, prepare, and submit stamping on your behalf.

Pre-emption rights give existing shareholders first refusal on any shares being sold. They can sit in the articles of association, a shareholders agreement, or both - and most off-the-shelf incorporations include them by default. Transferring shares without offering them to existing shareholders first can void the transfer. We review your articles and any shareholder agreement before any transfer goes ahead.

Yes if the shares are sold above their base cost - though Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) can reduce the CGT rate to 14% on the first £1 million of lifetime gains for qualifying business owners. We assess BADR eligibility, holdover relief on gifts to family, and any other applicable reliefs before the transfer is structured.

The transfer itself is private - it does not need filing immediately - but the next confirmation statement (CS01) must reflect the new shareholder. PSC register updates are due within 14 days if the transfer changes who holds more than 25%, 50%, or 75% of shares or voting rights. We handle both filings as standard.

Stock transfer form (J30), board minute approving the transfer, updated register of members, new share certificate for the transferee, cancelled share certificate from the transferor, stamp duty submission where applicable, PSC register update, and confirmation statement amendment. We prepare and execute the full pack so there are no missing documents at the next due diligence event.