STSM041100 - Exemptions and Reliefs: exemptions: Permanent Interest Bearing shares (PIBs)
Permanent Interest Bearing Shares (PIBS) are building society shares which count as capital. Being mutual institutions, building societies do not and cannot have a 鈥榮hare capital鈥 in the same way as public limited companies. Building society 鈥榮hares鈥 are effectively debt deposits carrying amongst other things limited voting rights and to the surplus of a Society on dissolution.
Section 109(1) of Building Societies Act 1986 exempts from stamp duty various instruments issued by building societies. This includes including 鈥渁ny transfer of a share in a building society鈥 (section 109(1)(b)) and 鈥榓ny other instrument whatsoever which is required or authorised to be given, issued, signed, made or produced in pursuance of this Act or of the rules of a Building Society鈥.
Section 109(b) and (c) exempt building society shares and bonds respectively. Therefore the transfers of PIBS issued by a building society are exempt from stamp duty (and SDRT) and do not need to be stamped.