"So, your question: do you need to get your lease stamped?
The answer: No."
The answer to this is that you can do anything you like. You should stamp the lease, you are legally obliged to stamp the lease, but if you do not stamp the lease then issues are likely to and will probably arise.
"Could VAT/revenue implications arise?
The answer: Yes"
Correct.
"When is it best to deal with these?
The answer: After they arise"
Always best to deal with issues before they arise. This is not good advice.
"Why after they arise?
The answer:Cos it will save you a lot of time, energy and trouble"
No - this is simply asking for trouble.
"What should you do now?
The answer: Proceed as is, do not get the lease stamped, save yourself money that you should invest in readily accessible account at a good interest rate - see the Best Buys section, submit the documentation to the Department and await developments."
Disagree - it is illegal and it is wrong.
"What should you not do?
The answer:Accept as truth anything from revenue or solicitor that they are not willing to put in writing: next time you ask them a question on this topic, ask that they put the response in writing to you so that you have a copy, "just to keep this on record."
I don't there is any indication that the OP is being advised other than correctly by solicitor. He has asked Revenue and they have told him his legal obligations. Stamp Duty is a self assessment tax - it is not a question of "wait and see".
"Good luck"
Yes - with Tax Evasion.
Unbelievable.
mf