Scotland/England tax differences.

[Biggus]

I believe this was discussed on here before, but can't remember any specifics.

The SNP has stated that it will not adopt the UK governments change to the 40% tax threshold:

SNP will not adopt UK Chancellor's 40p tax threshold change - BBC News (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35864248)

Therefore, someone in the UK military earning more than £43,387 faces paying a different amount of income tax depending on whether they are living (based?) in Scotland or England. While the difference may not be huge to start with, the UK government is talking of increasing the 40% threshold to £50,000 by 2020, while, if the SNP continue to increase their threshold by just CPI, it could be around £45-46k by 2020, giving a difference in the individuals tax bill between England (+ Wales!) and Scotland of around £800-£1,000.

I believe someone pointed out before that there are some financial benefits of living in Scotland, free prescriptions, education, etc, which may be considered 'compensation'.

Will the MOD be doing anything about this situation, or will it just be a case of 'it goes with the territory' - literally?

[teeteringhead]

I thought that all servicepeople - for tax reasons - were regarded as being in England (or maybe it was UK - in which case I do see the problem!).

If not, where do I claim back the UK tax I paid when I was in sand pits various - must add up to 5 or 6 years worth in all ........ :E

[NutLoose]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CcD08deWIAAil2z.jpg

https://twitter.com/Tabagari

[Sandy Parts]

Not sure what the cartoon is saying?! Anyhoo - I asked similar questions on the Budget thread but not seen a definitive reply.
Whatever the MoD's plan , I wonder if it will equally affect FTRS and Civil Servants based in Scotland? I also wondered about those lucky enough to hit the threshold on their MoD pensions (Grp Capt and above possibly?).
I'm aware there is an 'S' prefix being added to Scottish resident taxpayers tax codes, but asking around up here, that hasn't happened for everyone.....

[Mickj3]

What happened to service persons "living in" on base and in service married quarters when the poll tax was introduced a year early in Scotland? Genuine enquiry, I was in RAFG at the time.

[Stuff]

I don't think the Poll tax provides a representative example. SFA and SSFA don't pay council tax, they pay contribution in lieu of council tax and that's set centrally.

[alfred_the_great]

There is a DIN on this: IIRC, where your main house is is where you pay income tax.

[melmothtw]

Not sure what the cartoon is saying?!

What's good for the goose is good for the gander...

[The Old Fat One]

I'm aware there is an 'S' prefix being added to Scottish resident taxpayers tax codes, but asking around up here, that hasn't happened for everyone.....

Presumably because their main residence is not in Scotland (or HMRC does not think their main residence is in Scotland)? Or perhaps they have not had a new tax code issued yet? I'm comfortably sure you have the legal right to set your own tax domicile assuming you have a proper address to register it to. A single person not owning a home for example, could leave it at their parents house. Lots of opportunities for those that care enough. I'm planning on switching mine in May; I'll report how it goes back here.

[Rob To Service]

MickJ3

I was based at Lossie when the poll tax was introduced early in Scotland living on base and then in a private hire off base. IIRC I had to pay the tax whilst living in both locations.

[BATCO]

MickJ3 and Stuff

I was a resident of MacDonald Drive (Lossie) when the community charge (aka poll tax) was introduced. We had to pay it. It was not deducted at source nor amended in any way to average it out against other Service locations in Scotland.

I recall getting into some bother with the local council over payments. I attempted to pay it monthly, in 12 equal installments. The community charge replaced rates (in Scotland earlier than Engand and Wales to avoid wasting money on the periodic reassessment of rates that was due). Unaware that rates were paid in (I think ) 10 or 11 instalments missing out one at the end of February (short month; less pay) I quickly 'fell behind' with payments and the council were very quick to come knocking.

All much simpler now with CILOCT deducted at source (albeit I hear that we on overseas tours will stop paying it at end Mar 16, yipeee)

Regards
Batco

[Biggus]

PN,

I thought I said that in the first post!

[Party Animal]

The DiN essentially says 'tough sh1t' if you are either based in Scotland with a Scottish home address or you are based in England/Wales/NI with your family home in Scotland. Apart from varying the rate at which the higher tax band cuts in, the SNP/Scottish Govt will also be able to vary the rate of income tax across the board (up to a level of 3% difference - I think).

On the basis that Scotland can only ever expect to be run by a socialist government, it's probably going to be a bum deal in terms of taxation for anyone who earns over £30k. Make the rich pay more and all that.....

Reminds me of Britain in the 70's and standby for a steady trickle of wealth creators starting to move south. This has already started to happen with the computer gaming high flyers trying to sell up before the big hike in property stamp duty, for anyone selling a house above £325k

[Sandy Parts]

Party - the 3% variation was the power given to the Scottish Assembly on formation. Never used as too much of a political hand-grenade until the SNP established a fiefdom.
The new powers come into force now (Scottish Act) and allow them to set any rate of tax (although basic rate threshold still set by UK gov). It is now a balance of "what do we need" (reduced income from UK tax coffers) vs "what can we get away with grabbing before losing votes". When you look at the SNP voting demographic, you can see the obvious targets are those in the 40% bracket.... After all, most of the really wealthy SNP supporters live outside of the UK (Sean Connery, Billy Connelly etc. etc.)

[The Old Fat One]

After all, most of the really wealthy SNP supporters live outside of the UK (Sean Connery, Billy Connelly etc. etc.)

wtf, the big yin is no nat mate!!!!!!

[Sandy Parts]

apologies - thought I'd seen him on the box supporting the Nat cause for Independence in IndyRef1?

[XR219]

Page 3 Profile: Billy Connolly, comedian | i | The Independent (http://www.independent.co.uk/i/page-3-profile-billy-connolly-comedian-8412627.html)

"I love Scotland but I hate the way nationalists think they own the place. I don't like nationalism. I think history proves it to be an incredibly dangerous thing."

:ok:

[melmothtw]

apologies - thought I'd seen him on the box supporting the Nat cause for Independence in IndyRef1?

Never let facts get in the way of what you think you know Sandy Parts; PPRuNe 101, don't you know.