Adviser panel terms

This is a summary of how Stamp's independent adviser panel works, for tax firms thinking of joining and for anyone who wants to understand it. Panel firms sign a full Adviser Panel Agreement when they're approved, and that agreement is what binds them.

How the panel works

• When a homebuyer's Stamp check gives a non-standard result (something in their answers can change how much stamp duty they pay), they can see the panel firms and choose one. Stamp doesn't assign cases, and the default order of firms is neutral.
• Clients can compare firms by fee, location, profile, qualifications and insurance details.
• Stamp has no in-house advisers and doesn't compete with panel firms.
• The client contracts with the panel firm directly, on the firm's own terms of engagement. The panel firm gives the advice and is responsible for it.

Who can join

The criteria apply to the firm, and to each adviser who signs off advice to clients. Panel firms must:

• be registered with a recognised professional body (for example, CIOT or ATT) and in good standing
• make sure each adviser who signs off advice holds the Chartered Tax Adviser qualification or equivalent, and current professional body membership
• have at least two years' demonstrable experience of SDLT cases
• hold professional indemnity insurance in the firm's name, and provide proof each year
• have a clean disciplinary record, for the firm and for each adviser who signs off advice

Joining

• 1. An introductory call, and a mutual non-disclosure agreement
• 2. An application, with proof of qualifications and insurance
• 3. Our review, usually within 2 to 3 working days
• 4. Signing the Adviser Panel Agreement
• 5. A one-hour onboarding call to set up your profile and fees
• 6. Going live on the panel

Fees and payment

• There's no cost to join: no set-up fee and no subscription. Stamp is paid a share of the fee on each instruction.
• Panel firms set their own fees, shown to clients including any VAT.
• Clients pay the fee up front. Stamp collects it as the panel firm's agent, and pays the firm its share within 7 working days.
• If a client cancels before the panel firm accepts the instruction, the client gets a full refund. After acceptance, refunds follow the panel firm's own terms.

Service standards

• Acknowledge each new instruction within 4 business hours
• Deliver written advice within 5 business days, unless a different timescale is agreed with the client
• Communicate professionally and promptly

Missed standards lead to a warning, then a temporary pause from the panel, then a review.

Clients' data

A client's details are sent to a panel firm only after the client chooses that firm and confirms the instruction. The panel firm then holds them as an independent controller under its own privacy notice.

Apply

To apply, use the form on our Adviser panel page.