News

Scottish budget confirms bands and rates for 2025/26

Published: 13th December 2024

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.