MINISTERS have announced a review of Scotland’s non-domestic rates system, including measures to reduce the number of appeals.
The move comes a day after The National revealed the Queen is contesting a £16,800 a year business rates bill on land with shooting and deer stalking rights at her Balmoral estate in Aberdeenshire.
READ MORE: Revealed: Scots landowners challenge shooting estates tax bills
It also coincides with the second part of our investigation today which found aristocrats, including the Duke of Buccleuch appealing business rates for sporting properties.
The Scottish Government’s Non Domestic Rates (Scotland) Bill aims to support business growth, increase fairness and streamline administration and will be introduced to Parliament before Easter.
Key provisions in the bill include:
• A move to a three-year valuation cycle after a revaluation in 2022 which will make the rating system more flexible to changing economic conditions.
• Reform of the appeals system to reduce the volume of speculative appeals.
• Increasing fairness by tackling tax avoidance.
Around a third of business across all sectors appeal their rateable valuations on which their rates bill is based. It is free to do so.
READ MORE: Revealed: The Queen appeals Scottish tax bill for Balmoral
Announcing the review, Kate Forbes, the Public Finance Minister, said: “The Bill provisions are designed to stimulate the economy, reduce red tape, improve transparency and reduce tax avoidance. These provisions, alongside others in the budget, strike the right balance between offering a competitive and sustainable taxation environment while delivering sufficient resources to fund vital public services.”
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