Everything an In-House Tax Expert provides, without the full-time cost
The end of SDLT questions, receive professional sign-off for every file
You file the returns, but can your team defend the advice?
Most conveyancing firms face a dangerous dilemma: You are required to file SDLT returns, yet you aren't positioned to provide formal tax advice. This leaves your firm vulnerable to HMRC audits, PI Insurance premium increases and heavy fines.
Your virtual SDLT department to eliminate the risk of negligence claims
Independent sign-off on every file
Every return is verified by a specialist, shifting the advisory burden away from your fee-earners.
Insurance-Backed Protection
OUR SOLUTION | THE SDLT SIGN-OFF MONTHLY RETAINER
Hawthorne Tax Advisory acts as your firm’s independent tax department. We don’t just "check" figures; we take responsibility for them.
Our oversight is covered by our professional indemnity, providing a secondary layer of security for your practice.
Seamless integration & support
We work alongside your existing workflow, and our onboarding process is included as standard.
To check if any more details needed here - is there a min number of transactions this service becomes a no-brainer? how will comms be handled, will there be a portal to upload/timings for review?
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£1,500 – £3,000 +VAT
12-month minimum commitmentIncludes professional insurance cover, onboarding.
You’ll also receive monthly industry updates & legislative alerts -
£150 – £200 per return (charged as a disbursement to the client)
Your client gains "Verified peace of mind" for a small fee; your firm gains total immunity from filing errors at zero net cost to the business.
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Set % based on transaction price (minimum fees apply) (ALL TBC)
Expert handling of complex commercial structures, mixed-use land, and multiple-dwelling reliefs.
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Advanced Tax Planning
Need to go further? We offer bespoke tax planning for high-net-worth clients and complex corporate acquisitions.
Available via separate instruction: Percentage of saving or minimum set fee.
FAQs
Can we really charge the £150 residential fee to the client?
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Yes. It is a disbursement for independent tax verification, much like a search fee or an environmental report. Most clients welcome the "Peace of Mind" certificate.
Does this replace our PI insurance?
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No, but it protects it. By having an independent specialist sign off, you significantly reduce the likelihood of a claim ever hitting your policy.
How quickly can we get a return signed off?
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We understand that conveyancing moves fast. For firms on our retainer, we provide priority turnaround times (typically within 24–48 hours) to ensure we never hold up your completion dates.
What is the commitment period for the retainer?
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Our standard retainer is based on a 12-month minimum commitment. This allows us to fully integrate with your firm’s onboarding processes, provide consistent staff training, and ensure you have year-round protection against legislative changes. It provides the stability of an in-house tax department at a fraction of the overhead.
Yes. The retainer covers the firm as an entity. While we offer a specific "Staff Training" bolt-on for deep-dive workshops, the standard retainer includes ongoing updates and onboarding to ensure your whole team knows how to flag complex cases to us.
SDLT is a highly specialised, "niche" tax. General accountants often lack the specific PI insurance or the granular knowledge of recent case law regarding multiple dwelling relief (MDR) or mixed-use land. We are specialists; our insurance and our reputation are built solely on this expertise.
If we have signed off on the return, we lead the response. Our retainer provides you with the "Insurance Shield", meaning we stand behind our verification and handle the technical correspondence with HMRC, saving your fee-earners hours of unbillable time.
Does the retainer cover all of our staff?
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Why should we use Hawthorne instead of our usual tax generalists?
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What happens if a return we file is queried by HMRC?
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About Hawthorne Consultancy
Led by James Cannaford, an experienced tax adviser with more than a decade’s experience in complex structuring, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) reliefs, and HMRC negotiations, Hawthorne offers specialist insight with the attentiveness and discretion only a boutique practice can provide.
James works independently, ensuring clients receive focused, consistent advice directly from him. At the same time, his longstanding relationships with trusted professionals in related fields, such as VAT, estate planning and corporate governance, allow Hawthorne to deliver joined-up tax solutions where broader support is needed.