Time is right for Scottish tax policy review

The Scottish government is consulting on a new approach to the planning management and implementation of the fully devolved taxes in Scotland.

A working group of representatives from government parliament and the tax profession will explore alternative processes for devolved tax legislation. This could include an annual Scottish Finance Bill.

The CIOT has welcomed the consultation. After a poll last year found that four-fifths of Scots need better information over how taxes are decided in Scotland the institute added that any proposals for change should also set out to improve awareness of tax changes among the general public. 

Alexander Garden chair of the CIOT’s Scottish technical committee said: ‘A hallmark of the devolved tax regime has been the constructive and consultative manner with which the Scottish parliament and Scottish government have engaged with stakeholders – including the tax profession – to ensure robust scrutiny and accountability for tax...