Scottish Budget confirms bands and rates for 2025/26
Ahead of the Scottish Budget, there were rumours that tax hikes were on the way. However, the announcements made on the day will see some easing of tax for lower earners. What’s the full story?
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Accounting for VAT if there is no cash payment
Your business has submitted repayment returns for the last two quarters and you are concerned that you might have underpaid output tax on some supplies where no money has changed hands. Are your concerns justified?
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Treatment of distributions under review
The government has launched a consultation on modernising the tax treatment of distributions and repayments of capital by companies. The proposals could affect the distinction between dividends taxed as income and capital payments subject to CGT. What changes are being considered?
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Tax relief on equipment you haven’t paid for (yet)
The timing of tax relief for purchases of equipment isn’t straightforward when payments are delayed or goods are purchased through hire purchase (HP) agreements. How can you use these rules to your advantage and get tax relief before you’ve paid the final invoice?
On 4 December the Scottish government published its 2025 Budget, which included the proposed income tax rates for 2025/26. The good news is that the feared changes didn’t materialise. Instead there was some easing of tax for those on lower incomes. The proposed income tax rates for 2025/26 are as follows:
|
Band |
Income range |
Rate |
|
Starter rate (on income exceeding tax reliefs and allowances) |
£12,571 - £15,397 |
19% |
|
Basic rate |
£15,398 - £27,491 |
20% |
|
Intermediate rate |
£27,492 - £43,662 |
21% |
|
Higher rate |
£43,663 - £75,000 |
42% |
|
Advanced rate |
£75,001 - £125,140 |
45% |
|
Top rate |
Above £125,140 |
48% |
If the changes are approved by the Scottish Parliament, they will mean the Starter and Basic bands increase above inflation, by 22.6% and 6.6% respectively. The document also pledges that no new bands will be introduced, and no further changes to rates will be made by the current Parliament.
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