Explanatory Notes

Scotland Act 2012

2012 CHAPTER 11

1st May 2012

Commentary on Sections (and Schedules)

Part 4: Miscellaneous

Section 44: Commencement

217.Subsection (1) of this section provides for certain provisions to come into force on the day the Act is passed.

218.Subsection (2) provides for certain other provisions to come into force 2 months after the Act is passed, including most of the provisions of Part 3 (finance). But this is subject to subsection (3), which provides for certain sections dealing with finance to have effect according to their own provisions. In relation to the provisions for income tax, this is because they need to take effect in relation to a particular tax year, rather than from a particular date. The provisions in sections 25(1) to (6) and section 26(8) enable the Treasury to specify the relevant tax year in each case. In relation to SDLT and landfill tax, the Treasury needs to have discretion to disapply those taxes, so as to synchronise with the coming into force of the two devolved taxes in Scotland. The provisions in sections 29(4) (SDLT) and 31(4) (landfill tax) give the Treasury this discretion.

219.Subsection (4) provides that section 25(7) and Schedule 2 and section 32 of the Act come into force on such day as the Treasury may, by order made by statutory instrument, appoint.

220.Subsection (5) provides that the other provisions of the Act not dealt with in subsections (1) to (4) of the section come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may, by order made by statutory instrument, appoint.

221.Subsection (6) provides that the Secretary of State or the Treasury may appoint different days for different purposes.