More than two-thirds of taxpayers will pay less on their current income this year under Scotland’s new tax bands. Changes to the Higher and Top rate tax bands, which take effect from today, also mean an additional £428 million will be available in 2018/19 to invest in vital public services and the economy.
Continue reading New tax bands take effect in Scotland today
More than two thirds of income taxpayers will pay less tax next year on their current income, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has confirmed as MSPs prepare to debate proposals to reform income tax in Scotland. Continue reading Finance Secretary: Income tax reforms will benefit lowest earners
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today announced that just over 3 million customers are yet to complete their 2016 to 2017 returns with only one week to go before the 31 January deadline. Continue reading A third of tax returns are outstanding a week before deadline
Was the Westminster Budget good for Scots? As ever, opinion is sharply divided … Continue reading UK Government budget ‘delivers for Scotland’
Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson has written to the Chancellor Philip Hammond calling on him to take immediate action to cancel their unfair VAT charges on Scotland’s Police and Fire services which cost the forces £35 million a year. Continue reading “Another Tory betrayal of Scottish communities”: local MSP challenges Chancellor over unfair VAT charges
A new report by Andy Wightman MSP, Housing and Land Reform spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, shows that giving local councils the power to tax the 20,000 football pitches’ worth of vacant and derelict land in Scotland could generate £200 million a year to build affordable homes and tackle the housing crisis. Continue reading Green report shows taxing derelict land could help tackle housing crisis
Two Edinburgh businesses are celebrating big successes after seeing substantial growth this year. Business owners Renee Mackay, who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Corstorphine and Alan Johnston who runs TaxAssist Accountants in Goldenacre, are together celebrating reaching well over 1,000 small clients across the city. Continue reading Counting on success
Local businessman Alan Johnston celebrated six months in business with an official launch event at the TaxAssist Accountants office in Goldenacre which provides tax and accountancy support for small businesses. Continue reading Official opening for Goldenacre small business specialists
Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir has welcomed comments by a senior airlines executive that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is having an adverse effect on trade.
Following comments by David Thomas, a regional director of American Airlines, that Air Passenger Duty is ‘stifling demand’ on flights between Scotland and the United States, Colin Keir, Edinburgh Airport’s MSP, said: “Mr Thomas’s comments are most welcome and further validate our position that the Scottish Government must have control over Air Passenger Duty.
“As Edinburgh Airport’s recent report showed, reducing APD in Scotland by 50% will initially support 800 new jobs and create millions for the economy, is most welcome and must be taken seriously by the UK Government.
“The tourism tax, that is particularly damaging to Scottish airports, should be cut at once. Devolution of APD would be a game changer for Scottish airports.
“The Scottish Government has committed to cutting Air Passenger Duty once it is devolved and that responsibility cannot come soon enough for passengers and Scotland’s airports. Only a strong team of SNP MPs elected on May 7 will ensure Scotland gains the powers it has been promised – including APD – to create jobs and build a more prosperous and fairer country.”
Colin Keir MSP has today welcomed a report by Edinburgh Airport that shows the gains of controlling and cutting Air Passenger Duty (APD) and calling for timetabling of the powers promised to Scotland.
The analysis backs the Scottish Government’s position and shows that the impact of reducing APD in Scotland by 50% will initially support around 800 new jobs and millions of pounds for the economy.
Colin Keir, the MSP for Edinburgh Airport said: “This excellent report by Edinburgh Airport, which shows that the impact of reducing APD in Scotland by 50% will initially support 800 new jobs and create millions for the economy, is most welcome and must be taken seriously by the UK Government.
“The tourism tax that is particularly damaging to Scottish airports – should be cut at once. Devolution of APD would be a game changer for Scottish airports.
“The Scottish Government has committed to cutting Air Passenger Duty once it is devolved and that responsibility cannot come soon enough for passengers and Scotland’s airports.
“Only a strong team of SNP MPs elected on May 7 will ensure Scotland gains the powers it has been promised – including APD – to create jobs and build a more prosperous and fairer country.”
