Appendix C - Data Quality and Further Information

All data were extracted as at 31 May 2024 but, in keeping with Revenue Scotland’s statistics revisions policy, some of the data relating to earlier years has not been updated. For LBTT and SLfT, only data for 2022/23 onwards has been updated (and for sub-Scotland geographies, only the most recent year was updated).

Reliefs

There are various data quality issues with reliefs information collected from LBTT returns in previous years, although these issues do not affect the total LBTT declared due. 

Appendix B - Comparison of Published Statistics with Revenue Scotland's Annual Report and Financial Statements

The purpose of this appendix is to explain how Revenue Scotland’s monthly LBTT statistics, quarterly SLfT statistics, and annual statistics (this publication) relate to the revenue figures that appear in the Devolved Taxes Account in Revenue Scotland’s Annual Re

Appendix A - Date of submission versus effective date

Revenue Scotland’s monthly LBTT statistics and the data in this publication are based on the date the LBTT return is submitted to Revenue Scotland. Generally, this is different from the effective date (generally the data that a land transaction is completed) as taxpayers have 30 days from the effective date to submit their LBTT return. However, nearly three quarters (74%) of returns are submitted within a week of the effective date and 88% within two weeks (see Figure 19). A small proportion of returns are submitted later than the required 30 days and are liable for financial penalties.

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax

Overview 

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) is a charge on land transactions in Scotland. Land transactions must be notified to Revenue Scotland, unless the chargeable consideration (definition below) is less than £40,000, or the transaction is otherwise exempt.

The Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) is an additional charge which applies when the taxpayer is purchasing an additional property and not replacing their main residence. ADS most commonly arises for purchases of a second home or a buy-to-let dwelling.

Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT)

Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) is a tax on the disposal of waste to a landfill in Scotland, whether to an authorised landfill site or not. SLfT applies to all taxable disposals made in Scotland on or after 1 April 2015. 

SLfT is chargeable by weight and there are currently two rates for taxable disposals: 

Executive Summary

Land and Buildings Transaction Tax  

  • £804 million in LBTT revenues were declared due during 2023/24. This is the third highest annual total, behind 2022/23 (£838 million) and 2021/22 (£813 million). The total LBTT revenue includes £189 million net Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS) payments, some of which is likely to be reclaimed at a later date. 

    Accountability Report

     

    Corporate Governance Report

    The Directors’ Report

    Revenue Scotland Board 2023-24

    In line with paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 of the RSTPA, the Scottish Ministers are responsible for appointing between five and nine individuals to be members of the Revenue Scotland Board. One individual is appointed by Ministers as Chair.

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