Income tax rates and allowances (Scotland)

Income Tax is a tax you pay on your income. You do not normally pay tax on all of your income as most people in the UK get a Personal Allowance of tax-free income. This is the amount of income you can have before you pay tax. Tax is then applied to bands of income at certain rates.

Different bands and rates of income tax apply in the rest of the UK - Income Tax Rates & Allowances (UK excluding Scotland)

Standard personal allowances

  2024/25 2023/24 2022/23
Single person £12,570 £12,570 £12,570
  • Since 2016/17, all individuals will be entitled to the same personal allowance, regardless of the individuals’ date of birth. 
  • From 6 April 2010, the personal allowances will reduce by £1 for every £2 of income above £100,000 until they are nil.

Income Tax rates and taxable bands

Since the 2018/19 tax year the Scottish Government has had different Income Tax rates and bands from the rest of the UK.

2024/25 Tax year
Income taxed at Rate 2024/25
Personal allowance 0% £12,5701
Starter rate 19% £2,306
Basic rate 20% £11,685
Intermediate rate 21% £17,101
Higher rate 42% £31,338
Advanced rate 45% £50,1402
Top rate 48% above £125,1402

1Assumes the individual is in receipt of the standard UK personal allowance.

2Personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000.

Previous tax years 

Income taxed at Rate 2023/24
Personal allowance 0% £12,5701
Starter rate 19% £2,162
Basic tax rate 20% £10,956
Intermediate rate 21% £17,974
Higher rate 42% £81,4782
Top rate 47% above £125,1402
Income taxed at Rate 2022/23
Personal allowance 0% £12,5701
Starter rate 19% £2,162
Basic tax rate 20% £10,956
Intermediate rate 21% £17,974
Higher rate 41% £106,3382
Top rate 46% above £150,0002

Assumes the individual is in receipt of the standard UK personal allowance.

2 Personal allowance is reduced by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000.

Disclaimer

The information provided is based on our current understanding of the relevant legislation and regulations and may be subject to alteration as a result of changes in legislation or practice. Also it may not reflect the options available under a specific product which may not be as wide as legislations and regulations allow.

All references to taxation are based on our understanding of current taxation law and practice and may be affected by future changes in legislation and the individual circumstances of the investor.