Scottish income tax – where next?

The Scottish government has published a discussion paper examining the role of income tax in Scotland’s budget. It sets out Holyrood’s powers over income tax the contribution the tax makes to the budget who pays it and the benefits of taxation for individuals and businesses.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: ‘I am seeking a well-informed and considered debate on the use of our powers recognising that in a parliament of minorities common ground on tax must be found to secure a budget for Scotland. We have therefore set out alternative approaches for discussion that we believe could better meet the four tests we have established.’

The Chartered Institute of Taxation warned that changes to Scottish income tax rates and bands could result in additional complexity for Scottish taxpayers and changes in taxpayer behaviour because of the continued interaction between devolved and reserved taxes. Although the...