Land and buildings transaction tax

FORTHCOMING CHANGE: The Scottish government is conducting a review of LBTT that commenced in spring 2025. Particular areas of focus include the use of non-residential rates for ‘mixed’ transactions, multiple dwellings relief, the 6+ exemption from the additional dwellings supplement, first time buyer relief, the three-yearly lease review returns, and whether something can usefully be done to tie LBTT rates to net zero goals. No change is expected until after the Scottish Parliament elections (which are likely to be held in 2026). It is also considering introducing LBTT reliefs in respect of Co-ownership Authorised Contractual Schemes (CoACS), Property Authorised Investment Funds (PAIFs) and Reserved Investor Funds (RIFs); a consultation document was published on 11 July 2025. For more information, see Practice Note: Scotland: Land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT)—particular transactions and taxpayers—OEICS (including PAIFs), CoACSs and RIFs.

Background to LBTT

Land and buildings transaction tax (LBTT) is a Scottish devolved tax.

Under the provisions of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Act 2013 and related secondary legislation, LBTT has applied to Scottish land transactions, ie to the acquisition of chargeable

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