No change in Scottish rate of income tax for 2016/17

The Scottish government announced on Wednesday 16 December that the Scottish rate of income tax (SRIT) which comes in from 6 April 2016 will initially be set at 10p in the pound - meaning that there will be no change in the rate.  

HMRC had already begun writing to potential Scottish taxpayers this month to confirm the accuracy of records for the 2.6m taxpayers who live in Scotland and who will pay the new SRIT. Scottish taxpayers will also receive a new tax code beginning with the letter ‘S’. However the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) said it was troubled by HMRC’s decision not to include a helpline number on letters sent to Scottish taxpayers. LITRG chairman Anthony Thomas said: ‘Thousands are very likely to have questions about what this means and whether they are being classified correctly. Not including a helpline number for the...