PROPOSALS which would have introduced a “mansion tax” for Scottish property sales have been rejected by MSPs.
The Scottish Greens had tabled an amendment to the SNP Government’s Housing Bill in order to bring in a new top tax rate for properties which sell for more than £1 million.
Currently, Scotland levies a Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) on residential property sales above £145,000.
For homes between £145,001 and £250,000, a 2% rate is paid, which goes up to 5% for properties between £250,001 to £325,000, and 10% for sales worth £325,001 to £750,000.
The current top rate of 12% is charged on properties sold for more than £750,000.
The Greens’ “mansion tax” amendment would leave those bands unchanged but would create a new tax rate of 15% on residential sales worth more than £1m.
The party tabled other amendments to the same bill, including an additional charge for overseas buyers of Scottish properties, plans which would enable councils to further increase council tax on holiday homes, and proposals which would make it easier for tenants to keep pets and service animals in their home.
However, on Tuesday the proposal was rejected by SNP, Labour and Conservative members of Holyrood’s Local Government and Housing Committee.
MSP Ross Greer (above), who tabled the amendment, told The National that it was “disappointing” that MSPs rejected the proposal and that “only the very wealthiest people in the country, who can afford to pay more, would have been impacted” by the new tax.
The MSP continued: “Scotland has enough wealth to end injustices like child poverty tomorrow, but far too much of this money is in the hands of a tiny number of super-rich people and big corporations.
“Property taxes are important to ensure the wealthiest people pay their fair share back into our public services. I hope other MSPs remember that when they next complain about cuts to public services due to a lack of money.”
The SNP's Housing Bill is currently at Stage 2, where MSPs are considering amendments. The deadline for the end of Stage 2 proceedings is on June 6, after which an updated version of the bill with approved amendments will be published.
Scrutiny of the bill was split between Holyrood's Local Government, Housing and Planning and Social Justice and Social Security committees.
