Speaking to a large audience of local taxation professionals in Scotland at the IRRV Scottish Association’s AGM on 25th February, Brian Jeffrey, President of the Institute of Revenues, Rating & Valuation’s Scottish Association, advised that a current professional Inquiry is on track to deliver the blueprint for a local taxation system that is ‘truly fit for Scotland’s needs in the 21st century and beyond’.

 

The IRRV launched its Committee of Inquiry into local taxation in Scotland in late 2009 and will publish its full report in September 2010.

Mr Jeffrey said:

“This study is being undertaken by the revenues and benefits professionals who administer the current council tax and non-domestic rates systems. They are ideally placed to consider the many complex elements that are required in an efficient and effective local tax system.

“What we need is a system that is at its heart responsive to the ability to pay and is relatively simple to understand and administer. The public deserve a system that it is cost efficient and that can sustain a realistic level of contribution to the cost of local government services.

“Year-on-year council tax freezes cannot sustain Scottish local government in even the medium term. Services to the public will suffer fundamentally if a way forward is not found soon. Change is needed and needs to be embraced. We are confident that the Inquiry’s final report will identify an innovative and tailored solution to Scotland’s current local taxation dilemma”

The Inquiry is examining a range of funding options, including property-based taxes and other sources of funding. Importantly, the review will identify whether there are suitable mixes of funding options. The work is being undertaken by IRRV Scotland, the body which represents local taxation professionals working in all of Scotland’s local authorities.

Copies of Mr Jeffrey’s presentation and those of Jane Crawford and Brenda Miller of Dundee City Council and Fiona Campbell, who also spoke at the AGM can be downloaded by following the link below.Office Bearers and Executive Members elected at the AGM are as follows :

DOWNLOAD AS PDF FILES 

BUSINESS RATES - Getting Professional Advice

IRRV Scotland has published a helpful guide for ratepayers about Business Rates. You can download a copy of this by following the link below

Best Options for Scotland to be Sought in Local Taxation Inquiry

A new Committee of Inquiry into local taxation in Scotland has been launched by the revenues professionals who administer the current council tax and non-domestic rates systems. The Inquiry will examine a range of funding options, including property-based taxes and other buoyant sources of funding. Importantly, the review will seek to identify whether there are suitable mixes of funding options. The work is being undertaken by IRRV Scotland, the body which represents local taxation professionals working in all of Scotland’s local authorities