E-Stamping: 30 December 2009
E-stamping will be introduced on 30 December 2009. From that date, any document not already stamped will require a return to be filed in order for the document to be stamped. This can be done either through ROS (which, it is expected, practitioners will find the preferable method), using the new e-stamping regime, or by filing a long-form new paper return.
To use the new e-stamping system, practitioners will need to be registered for ROS and should contact Revenue to arrange this as soon as possible. Revenue has set up a special email address for any queries on e-stamping. The address is E-stampingProject@revenue.ie
In order to make a stamp duty return (either through ROS or in paper form), it will be necessary to include the PPS number for individuals (or tax reference number for others) of all the parties to a document to be stamped, even in the case of non-Irish-resident persons. (Revenue may relax this in the case of specific categories of persons yet to be clarified.)
Practitioners should start collecting this information (which should be verified where possible) to enable stampable documents to be stamped when the new system is introduced on 30 December 2009, as this will apply irrespective of when the contract was entered into. Returns with incorrect reference numbers will be rejected by the system.
The Law Society has been engaged in active consultation with the Revenue about e-stamping and will be communicating in more detail with the profession about this exciting development closer to the introduction date.