About
Compass is a UK-based Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) compliance platform designed to serve conveyancers, solicitors, independent financial advisers (IFAs), estate agents, and homebuyers. It offers a suite of tools — SoftCheck, Gateway, and Concierge — each catering to different levels of need and professional responsibility. For homebuyers, Compass provides an expert-driven SDLT calculator to determine exactly how much Stamp Duty is owed on residential, commercial, or leasehold properties, removing the risk of surprise costs during property transactions. For conveyancers and property professionals, Compass offers a fully outsourced Concierge service that includes an indemnified SDLT calculation, submission to HMRC on behalf of the client, direct client liaison, and a comprehensive audit trail. This allows solicitors and conveyancers to outsource SDLT work without needing tax adviser registration, saving time while reducing professional risk. Key solutions include SoftCheck (a quick screening tool), Gateway (a structured workflow product), and Concierge (a fully managed end-to-end service). The platform is HMRC-aligned, helping professionals avoid costly miscalculations and compliance penalties. Compass is headquartered in Mayfair, London, and is registered in England and Wales. It is trusted by legal and property professionals seeking precision, protection, and peace of mind on every transaction.
Key Features
- HMRC-Aligned SDLT Calculations: Delivers expert, accurate Stamp Duty Land Tax calculations aligned with current HMRC rules for residential, commercial, and leasehold properties.
- Fully Outsourced Concierge Service: Allows conveyancers to outsource all SDLT work including indemnified calculation, HMRC submission, direct client liaison, and full audit trail — no tax adviser registration needed.
- SoftCheck & Gateway Products: Tiered solutions offering quick SDLT screening (SoftCheck) and a structured workflow tool (Gateway) to suit different professional needs.
- Free SDLT Calculator for Homebuyers: A consumer-facing calculator that gives homebuyers an accurate Stamp Duty estimate, eliminating surprise costs during the property-buying process.
- Full Audit Trail & Compliance Documentation: Every calculation and submission is backed by a comprehensive audit trail, supporting professional indemnity and regulatory compliance.
Use Cases
- A solicitor outsources all SDLT calculations to Compass's Concierge service to eliminate compliance risk and avoid the need for tax adviser registration.
- A homebuyer uses the free Compass SDLT calculator to find out exactly how much Stamp Duty they owe before completing their property purchase.
- An IFA uses SoftCheck to quickly screen a client's property transaction for SDLT implications during financial planning.
- An estate agent recommends Compass to clients as part of their onboarding process to ensure buyers understand their full tax obligations.
- A conveyancing firm integrates Gateway into their transaction workflow to streamline SDLT submissions and maintain a compliant audit trail.
Pros
- Reduces Professional Risk: Indemnified calculations mean solicitors and conveyancers are protected against SDLT miscalculations and HMRC penalties.
- No Subscription for Concierge: The fully managed Concierge service operates on a per-transaction basis with no ongoing subscription commitment.
- Serves Both Professionals and Consumers: Offers tools tailored to both property professionals and individual homebuyers, making it a versatile platform across the property transaction lifecycle.
Cons
- UK-Only Scope: The platform is specifically designed for UK Stamp Duty Land Tax, making it unsuitable for property transactions in other jurisdictions.
- Limited Transparency on Pricing: Pricing details for professional tiers (SoftCheck, Gateway, Concierge) are not publicly listed and require a sales inquiry or demo booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SDLT and why do I need a specialist tool?
SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) is a UK tax on property and land purchases. Its rules are complex and frequently updated, so specialist tools like Compass ensure accurate, HMRC-compliant calculations that estate agents or solicitors — who are not tax advisers — may not reliably provide.
What is the Concierge service?
The Concierge service is Compass's fully outsourced SDLT solution for conveyancers. It includes an indemnified calculation, direct HMRC submission, client liaison, and a full audit trail — all without requiring tax adviser registration from the solicitor.
Is there a free version available?
Yes. Compass provides a free SDLT calculator for homebuyers to estimate how much Stamp Duty they owe before or during a property purchase.
What is the difference between SoftCheck and Gateway?
SoftCheck is a quick screening tool for initial SDLT assessments, while Gateway is a more structured, workflow-driven product suited to professional conveyancing environments.
Who is Compass designed for?
Compass serves solicitors, conveyancers, independent financial advisers (IFAs), estate agents, and homebuyers who need accurate and compliant Stamp Duty Land Tax calculations in the UK.
