Need a stock transfer form in Ireland? Chern & Co handles the transfer of shares in your Irish limited company from start to finish: we prepare the stock transfer form, file and pay the stamp duty return on ROS where it applies, update the register of members, issue the new share certificates and update the Register of Beneficial Ownership (RBO), so the new shareholder is properly recorded.
What our share transfer service covers
- Checking the constitution and any shareholders’ agreement for transfer restrictions or pre-emption rights on transfer
- Preparing the stock transfer form for signature by the transferor
- Calculating the stamp duty and filing the stamp duty return on ROS, or completing the exemption certificate on the form where no duty is due
- Board resolution approving the registration of the transfer
- Updating the register of members and the register of transfers
- Cancelling the old share certificate and issuing a new one to the transferee
- Updating the beneficial ownership details with the RBO where the transfer changes who the beneficial owners are
- Identifying the beneficial owner and carrying out AML checks where the new shareholder is a company
Stamp duty on a share transfer in Ireland
- Stamp duty is charged at 1% of the consideration, under Schedule 1 to the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act 1999
- No stamp duty is due where the consideration is EUR 1,000 or less and the transfer is not part of a larger transaction; the certificate on the stock transfer form must be completed
- On a gift or a transfer between connected persons, duty is charged on the market value of the shares
- The purchaser pays the duty, and the return and payment are made on ROS within 44 days of signing the form
- The company cannot register the transfer until the form is stamped or the exemption certificate is completed
- The seller may have Capital Gains Tax to consider on any gain; we flag this so you can take tax advice
What you provide
- The company name and number, and the current share certificate
- Details of the transferor and the transferee, and the number and class of shares
- The price agreed, or the reason for a gift
- Proof of ID and address of the new shareholder, and of the beneficial owner if the new shareholder is a company, as required by Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules
- An Irish PPS number for a new beneficial owner, or we help to obtain one for the RBO filing
How it works
- You contact us, we agree the scope and send an invoice and a service contract.
- We check the constitution and prepare the stock transfer form.
- The transferor signs the form and we deal with the stamp duty.
- The board approves the registration, and we update the registers and issue the new certificate.
- We update the RBO where needed. The new shareholder appears on the CRO record with the next annual return.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stock transfer form?
The stock transfer form is the document the existing shareholder signs to transfer shares to the new shareholder. It is stamped by Revenue, or certified as exempt, before the company registers the transfer.
Do I need to file the share transfer with the CRO?
No separate CRO form is filed for a transfer of existing shares. The change shows on the CRO record when the company files its next annual return (Form B1).
How much is stamp duty on a share transfer?
1% of the consideration, or of the market value on a gift or a transfer between connected persons. No duty is due where the consideration is EUR 1,000 or less and the exemption certificate is completed.
When must stamp duty be paid?
Within 44 days of signing the stock transfer form, through ROS.
Does the RBO need to be updated?
Yes, where the transfer changes who the beneficial owners of the company are. See our RBO filing service.
Have questions? Contact us for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The content of this page is for information purposes only and is subject to change. It does not constitute professional advice. No liability is accepted by Chern & Co for any actions taken or not taken in reliance on the information set out on this page. Professional, legal or tax advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from any action.