Land Transaction Tax, Registrations up to 15 April 2018

1. Land Transaction Tax
Registrations up to 15 April 2018
Published: 18 April 2018
Next update: 17 May 2018 WRA 01/2018

2. About the Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA)
The Welsh Revenue Authority (WRA) is a non-Ministerial department of Welsh
Government. Formally established in October 2017, it will be responsible for
collecting and managing the first devolved taxes - the first Welsh taxes in around
800 years - in Wales from 1 April 2018.
The WRA was established following the introduction of the Tax Collection and
Management (Wales) Act 2016. It will be responsible for the administration of land
transaction tax and landfill disposals tax. It is governed by a board, consisting of a
chair and five non-executive directors. For further information about the WRA, visit
www.gov.wales/wra.
The content and timing of official statistics produced by the WRA is independently
managed by the Head of Data Analysis, in line with the Code of Practice for
Statistics.

3. Following this timetable in publishing regular updates is a key
component of an open and transparent approach to our data,
which I am keen to foster. As the work of my small team
develops, we will seek to offer our data in free and open formats,
aimed at supporting equality of access and re-use of the data,
whilst balancing timeliness with quality.
Engaging with our users will be a key aspect of this, and so I
hope you will find this a useful introduction to our statistics. But
whether this is the case or not, we will be pleased to receive any
feedback or answer questions you may have.
Foreword from WRA Head of Data Analysis
Adam Al-Nuaimi
Head of Data Analysis, WRA
Welcome to the first of what will become a regular series of statistics publications from the
Welsh Revenue Authority. It highlights some key statistics on the registration of users of the
online system for Land Transaction Tax in Wales, and provides some context around our
future statistical approach, including a timetable for future WRA statistics.

4. 1,229 registrations for LTT between February 2018 and 15 April 2018
• Of these 1,149 (93 per cent) registrations were approved* onto the WRA system.
Registrations that weren’t approved were almost exclusively duplicate registrations.
Majority of registrations were in England
• 72 per cent were in England, 27 per cent were in Wales, and 2 per cent were from another
country.
Largest number of registrations was received the week of 19 to 25 February
• Around 100 registrations were received on 20 February, the date registration formally
opened.
• There were approximately 110 to 180 approved* registrations per week following this initial
surge; with most registrations happening on 28 March (53), 26 February (47), and 29 March
(44). The two March dates listed are likely due to the April bank holiday at the end of that
week.
Key points for this statistical release
*The number approved includes a small number of registrations awaiting approval due to WRA workflow management.

5. WRA statistical releases (1)
Land Transaction Tax (LTT) statistics
Monthly statistics
(Apr-Jun 2018)
Highlight reports which will
provide data on:
• number of registrations
• value of tax returns
• some commentary to
support interpretation
Tables will be published in
spreadsheets. These
tables will move to
StatsWales once this
functionality has been
established.
Monthly statistics
(Jul 2018 onwards)
Data only (no
commentary) released
approximately 10 days
after the end of the
previous month, covering:
• number of registrations
• value of tax returns
• disaggregations of the
data
Tables will be published
on StatsWales in open
data format.
Quarterly statistics
Quarterly releases will
provide:
• updated and cleansed
estimates of the
monthly data
• disaggregation of the
data, where numbers
are sufficiently large
• commentary on trends
and patterns
Annual statistics
We are currently
considering whether an
annual release would
provide additional value
to users. We will
evaluate if further
disaggregations of data
will be available if
considered for the whole
year. Where possible,
this could be integrated
into quarterly statistics
to provide more timely
estimates.LTT analysis will derive from the date tax is assessed (often contract date).

6. WRA statistical releases (2)
Landfill Disposals Tax (LDT) statistics Other publications
Quarterly statistics
Quarterly releases will
provide:
• quarterly estimates of
the data based on the
various three month
accounting periods of
each of the operators
• disaggregations of the
data, where numbers
are sufficiently large
• commentary on trends
and patterns.
Annual statistics
We are currently
considering whether an
annual release would
provide additional value to
users. We will evaluate if
further disaggregations of
data will be available if
considered for the whole
year. Where possible, this
could be integrated into
quarterly statistics to
provide more timely
estimates.
Statistical policies
Documentation to
evidence how we’re
adhering to the Code of
Practice for Statistics
Quality information
Documentation outlining
our data sources,
methods and quality
assurance practices, and
additional information on
‘special events’ which
impact our statistics
Ad-hoc requests
We will publish
responses to any
requests by users of our
statistics, including
Freedom of Information
requests.

7. Land Transaction Tax (LTT) is a devolved tax that was introduced in Wales
on 1 April 2018.
It applies to transactions involving the acquisition of chargeable interests in
land and buildings in Wales. Simply put: it’s a tax which is applies when land
and/or buildings are sold and purchased.
Equivalent taxes in the rest of the UK
LTT replaces Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in Wales, while SDLT continues
to run in England.
SDLT Statistics including previous statistics for Wales can be found here.
In Scotland, the equivalent tax is Land and Business Transaction Tax
(LBTT). LBTT statistics can be found here.
Land Transaction Tax (LTT)

8. Registration process
Statistics included in this release relate
to the registration process
Land owner
agrees to
sell/buy land
and/or
buildings
Applies to
business or
residential
land/buildings
An organisation
(solicitors, agent
or legal
conveyancer)
registers with the
WRA
WRA staff then
approve the
application
This process can
take up to 2
weeks
Individual users
from the
organisation sign
up to the WRA
online service
Data are
collected in a
manner compliant
with WRA’s
comprehensive
privacy notice
The organisation
will draft, view
and submit a tax
return on behalf
of a buyer
Personal data
applying to the
transaction is
collected and held
in a manner
compliant with
WRA’s
comprehensive
privacy notice
The
organisation
receives a
certificate
confirming the
transaction on
behalf of the
buyer
The buyer
pays any tax
that is liable
(via the
organisation)
The process for LTT

9. Number of registrations
1,229 registrations for LTT between February 2018 and 15 April 2018
• Of these 1,149 (93 per cent) registrations were approved* onto the WRA
system. Registrations that weren’t approved were almost exclusively
duplicate registrations.
Figure 1: Cumulative Total of LTT Registered Organisations
*The number approved includes a small number of registrations awaiting approval due to WRA workflow management.
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
19 February 26 February 05 March 12 March 19 March 26 March 02 April 09 April
Registrations

10. Number of registrations
The majority of approved*
registrations were in England
• 822 (72 per cent) were in England.
• 306 (27 per cent) were in Wales.
• 21 (2 per cent) were from another
country.
Figure 2: LTT Registered Organisations by
Country
*The number approved includes a small number of registrations awaiting approval due to WRA workflow management.
822
71.5%
21
1.8%
306
26.6%
England Other Wales

11. Registrations over time
The largest number of registrations was received the week of 19 to 25 February
• Around 100 registrations were received on 20 February, the date registration formally opened.
• There were approximately 110 to 180 approved* registrations per week following this initial surge;
with most registrations happening on 28 March (53), 26 February (47), and 29 March (44).
Figure 3: LTT Registered Organisations by Date
*The number approved includes a small number of registrations awaiting approval due to WRA workflow management.
102
57
34
23
0 0
47
38 36 35
22
0 2
36
30 27 27
23
0 1
16 19
26
19 20
0 2
37
31
24 22
16
0 1
23
40
53
44
2 0 1 4
31 33
21 20
0 0
22 22
15 15
24
0 0
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
20 February 27 February 06 March 13 March 20 March 27 March 03 April 10 April
Registrations

12. Number of users for registered organisations
• There were 2,515 registered users.
• 568 organisations had one or two registered
users.
• 55 organisations registered 10 or more users.
The number of users registered for approved* organisations ranged
from 1 to 56.
Figure 4: Approved Organisations by
Number of Users
*The number approved includes a small number of registrations awaiting approval due to WRA workflow management.
308
27.4%
568
50.6%
192
17.1%
55
4.9%
0 Users 1-2 Users 3-9 Users 10+ Users

13. Trustworthiness of these statistics
‘Trustworthiness’ relates to confidence in the people and organisations that produce statistics and
data.
The information below outlines how we are working to ensure that we’re meeting the principles and
practices of the Code of Practice.
Our calendar of future planned statistical outputs can be found here.
Our interim policy on statistical outputs will be published shortly, this will outline:
• the professional standards which were adhered to as part of the creation of these statistics;
• how the content and timing of outputs is independently managed by the WRA Lead Official for
Statistics;
• how we notify users of upcoming outputs; and
• that staff involved in the production of statistics will undertake continuous professional development
in line with the Civil Service competency framework and the GSS competency framework.
Further supporting documentation will be published alongside upcoming statistical releases which outline:
• how we will engage with users; and
• how data is collected, stored and managed.

14. Quality of these statistics
‘Quality’ relates to the data and methods that produce assured statistics
The information below outlines how WRA is meeting the principles and practices of the Code of
Practice.
The earlier process diagram outlines how the data used in this statistical release is collected. Both
the registration data and tax return data are administrative data sources. We have initially
assessed the interest and potential quality concerns in line with the Government Statistical
Service guidance on the use of Administrative data.
WRA statisticians are involved in the collection and management of both data sources used.
Therefore, we consider the level of risk of quality concerns is likely to be low. However, this will be
fully investigated as the data and quality documentation is developed.
Data source Public interest
profile
Level of risk of
quality concerns
Level of assurance
information to be developed
LTT Registration data Low To be determined A1 – basic assurance
LTT Tax returns Medium To be determined A2 – enhanced assurance

15. Developing quality information (1)
Our approach to quality information will develop as we collect data
We will initially look to identify errors that could occur or have occurred during the first few weeks of
data collection. We will then consider whether there are any additional methods that can be used to
ensure data being received is of high quality.
We will highlight issues to consider and provide advice on how to interpret these statistics, and we
will also provide analysis which allows users to understand these issues. Initially we’ve identified a
need for information on three potential issues, these are outlined more fully on the next slide.
We welcome users input into the development of this information and whether any further issues
should be considered. Please contact us with your suggestions.

16. Developing quality information (2)
Issues we are considering
1. Coherence with statistics published by HMRC and Revenue Scotland
As we progress this work, we will identify which statistics are comparable, and provide information
detailing differences and similarities between sources.
2. Interpretation of the impacts of forestalling
The rate of tax that would be paid for the same property could differ between SDLT and LTT. This
introduces incentives for individuals and companies to either accelerate or delay their application
taxable activity. This practice, sometimes referred to forestalling, potentially results in less tax
revenue being generated in the early months of LTT.
3. Consideration around timeliness of statistics alongside the impact of potential revisions
Our current ambition is to release statistics approximately 10 working days following the end of the
reporting period. As data is being collected we will establish whether these timescales are realistic
and the impact of these timescales on revisions.

17. Value of these statistics
‘Valuable’ statistics support society’s needs for information
These statistics have been established to meet the immediate user requirement for the
implementation of Land Transaction Tax, following the establishment of the WRA.
Our interim policy on statistical outputs will outline:
• how we make our outputs accessible to all users; and
• pre-release access to these statistics.
A list of those who received pre-release access to this statistical release is available on the
WRA webpages.
We are developing our statistics outputs on user requirements. Please contact us with any
feedback.