Scotland now has higher Income Tax rates than rUK

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

The SNP government has decided to not pass on the new 45,000 rate at which the 40% band will kick in, it will be linked to inflation -starting at 43,430.

A very small revenue raiser, but really sends out the message that the SNP don't think much of the middle classes. The finance minister dressed it up as "why should the rich enjoy a tax cut....." - I certainly don't class someone on 44k as rich.

The UK now has a divided tax position on one of the most central taxes we pay. I don't think it will drive people en masse south of Hadrian's Wall, but if you had the chance of a job in Glasgow or Leeds? Would the news today impact many people's choice?

MacMickster

I don't think that £300 is likely to have too much impact on anyone's choice.

Torry_Quine

£44,000 is a good wage and certainly a high earner to me.

padington

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

The SNP government has decided to not pass on the new 45,000 rate at which the 40% band will kick in, it will be linked to inflation -starting at 43,430.

A very small revenue raiser, but really sends out the message that the SNP don't think much of the middle classes. The finance minister dressed it up as "why should the rich enjoy a tax cut....." - I certainly don't class someone on 44k as rich.

The UK now has a divided tax position on one of the most central taxes we pay. I don't think it will drive people en masse south of Hadrian's Wall, but if you had the chance of a job in Glasgow or Leeds? Would the news today impact many people's choice?

Free university education is the upside.

Owain_Moneysaver

padington wrote: »

Free university education is the upside.

There's no such thing as free, and it's my taxes paying for students to fritter four years of their lives away studying Sociology with Macrame before ending up in a job as a Macrame Development Officer with the Scottish Government.

molerat

Along with the 7% to 22% council tax banding rise imposed on bands E and above :mad:

So for band H in my area they are looking at a probable 26% increase next year, another £600.

Doshwaster

Torry_Quine wrote: »

£44,000 is a good wage and certainly a high earner to me.

It really depends on where you live £44k would go a long way in some parts of the country but not if you are in the SE of England with two kids and a non-working partner. Even as a single person I'd want a lot more than that to live in London.

Lorian

Would this apply to someone who Lives in Scotland or Works in Scotland?

I'm specifically thinking of someone who commutes north to work....

Doshwaster

Lorian wrote: »

Would this apply to someone who Lives in Scotland or Works in Scotland?

I'm specifically thinking of someone who commutes north to work....

It's based upon your home address not where you work

https://www.gov.uk/scottish-rate-income-tax/how-it-works

Jason74

padington wrote: »

Free university education is the upside.

And on balance, I'd suggest that a country that prioritises free education over the kind of tax cuts being discussed here is (leaving aside the obvious side arguments about subsidy to Scotland from rUK etc) probably one that has its priorities right.

Doshwaster

Jason74 wrote: »

And on balance, I'd suggest that a country that prioritises free education over the kind of tax cuts being discussed here is (leaving aside the obvious side arguments about subsidy to Scotland from rUK etc) probably one that has its priorities right.

One effect of Scotland "free" tuition policy is that there is a cap on places which means that Universities have been unable to expand their intake which makes it harder for Scottish students, especially poorer ones, to get a place.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/27/poor-scots-squeezed-out-of-university-by-snp-cap-on-places/

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14519829.Poorest_pupils_face__quot_shocking_quot__barriers_to_university/