Scots facing five tax changes in 2025 as council, booze and income taxes affected

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scots are facing various tax changes this year, from council tax to income, from national insurance to booze.The Labour Government has passed its first Budget since coming to power in July, while John Swinney has also passed his first Budget since becoming First Minister.

This means there is a whole swathe of changes being brought in, which will impact Scots in different ways.The SNP Government has lifted its Council Tax freeze, meaning that local authorities are able to go ahead with tax hikes.The Nationalists have said that they have provided a fair funding deal to councils.

But town hall bosses have said that years of underinvestment means rises are necessary.Glasgow is considering a five per cent hike, Edinburgh eight per cent, East Lothian 8.6 per cent, while North Lanarkshire could bring in a rise of between nine and 11 per cent.South Lanarkshire is considering a five per cent hike, while West Lothian could bring in a 5.8 per cent increase.

The Borders is thinking about a 10 per cent hike, as is Fife Council.The Scottish Government has increased its Starter and Basic rate bands for the next tax year.This means that Scots will now pay 19 per cent Income Tax on earnings between £12,571 and £15,397, rather than between £12,571 and £14,876.Scots will also now pay 20 per cent tax on earnings between £15,398 and £27,491, instead of the current 20 per cent levy on earnings from £14,877 to £26,561.This means no one earning the same will pay more Income Tax than they did in 2024-25.