(1)The Scottish Ministers must, by order, specify the tax bands and the percentage tax rates for each band—
(a)for residential property transactions, and
(b)for non-residential property transactions.
(2)An order under subsection (1) must specify, in the case of each type of transaction—
(a)a nil rate tax band and at least two other tax bands,
(b)the tax rate for the nil rate tax band, which must be 0%, and
(c)the tax rate for each tax band above the nil rate tax band so that the rate for each band is higher than the rate for the band below it.
(3)A transaction is a residential property transaction if—
(a)the main subject-matter of the transaction consists entirely of an interest in land that is residential property, or
(b)where the transaction is one of a number of linked transactions, the main subject-matter of each transaction consists entirely of such an interest.
(4)A transaction is a non-residential property transaction if—
(a)the main subject-matter of the transaction consists of or includes an interest in land that is not residential property, or
(b)where the transaction is one of a number of linked transactions, the main subject-matter of any transaction consists of or includes such an interest.
(5)In the case of a transaction for which the whole or part of the chargeable consideration is rent, see paragraph 3 of schedule 19 (leases) for the tax rates and tax bands applicable to such consideration.
(1)The amount of tax chargeable in respect of a chargeable transaction is to be determined as follows.
Step 1
For each tax band applicable to the type of transaction, multiply so much of the chargeable consideration for the transaction as falls within the band by the tax rate for that band.
Step 2
Calculate the sum of the amounts reached under Step 1.
The result is the amount of tax chargeable.
(2)In the case of a transaction for which the whole or part of the chargeable consideration is rent this section has effect subject to schedule 19 (leases).
(3)This section is subject to—
(a)schedule 5 (multiple dwellings relief),
(b)schedule 9 (crofting community right to buy relief),
(c)Part 3 of schedule 11 (acquisition relief).
(1)Where a chargeable transaction is one of a number of linked transactions, the amount of tax chargeable in respect of the transaction is to be determined as follows.
Step 1
For each tax band applicable to the type of transaction, multiply so much of the relevant consideration as falls within the band by the tax rate for that band.
Step 2
Calculate the sum of the amounts reached under Step 1.
The result is the total tax chargeable.
Step 3
Divide the chargeable consideration for the transaction by the relevant consideration.
Step 4
Multiply the total tax chargeable by the fraction reached under Step 3.
The result is the amount of tax chargeable.
(2)The relevant consideration is the total of the chargeable consideration for all the linked transactions.
(3)In the case of a transaction for which the whole or part of the chargeable consideration is rent this section has effect subject to schedule 19 (leases).
(4)This section is subject to—
(a)schedule 5 (multiple dwellings relief),
(b)schedule 9 (crofting community right to buy relief),
(c)Part 3 of schedule 11 (acquisition relief).
(1)The following schedules provide for reliefs from the tax in relation to certain land transactions—
schedule 3 (sale and leaseback relief),
schedule 4 (relief for certain acquisitions of residential property),
schedule 5 (multiple dwellings relief),
schedule 6 (relief for certain acquisitions by registered social landlords),
schedule 7 (alternative property finance relief),
schedule 8 (relief for alternative finance investment bonds),
schedule 9 (crofting community right to buy relief),
schedule 10 (group relief),
schedule 11 (reconstruction relief and acquisition relief),
schedule 12 (relief for incorporation of limited liability partnership),
schedule 13 (charities relief),
schedule 14 (relief for certain compulsory purchases),
schedule 15 (relief for compliance with planning obligations),
schedule 16 (public bodies relief).
(2)Any relief under any of those schedules must be claimed in the first return made in relation to the transaction or in an amendment of that return.
(3)The Scottish Ministers may, by order, modify this Act so as to—
(a)add a relief,
(b)modify an existing relief, or
(c)remove a relief.
(4)An order under subsection (3) may also modify any other enactment that the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.
(1)The buyer is liable to pay the tax in respect of a chargeable transaction.
(2)As to the liability of buyers acting jointly, see—
(a)section 48(2)(c) (joint buyers),
(b)paragraph 3 of schedule 17 (partnerships), and
(c)paragraphs 15 to 18 of schedule 18 (trusts).