The proportion of first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland who will need to pay stamp duty is set to double in April, rising from 21% to 42%, according to Zoopla analysis. Existing homeowners will also see a significant increase, with those liable for stamp duty expected to jump from 49% to 83%. These changes are driven by reductions in stamp duty discounts, with the “nil rate” band decreasing from £425,000 to £300,000 for first-time buyers and from £250,000 to £125,000 for other homebuyers. This could potentially add an extra £1.1 billion annually to government tax revenue, according to Zoopla’s estimates.
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Why art dealers are up in arms at the EU’s new anti-terror legislation
New EU cultural property laws, effective June 28, aim to prevent the trade of illegally exported goods but may overwhelm art dealers with excessive bureaucracy. While intended to protect cultural property, these regulations require proof of legitimate export for items over 200 years old valued above €18,000, posing significant challenges for the art market and potentially driving dealers out of the EU. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: New EU laws aimed at preventing...
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