Welsh government increases charge on some residential property purchases
The Welsh government published its Budget for 2025/26 last week. This included a number of tax announcements. What are the key points?

Wales has a devolved government with limited powers to make and amend tax law. One tax that is fully devolved is land transaction tax - the equivalent of stamp duty land tax for land and buildings physically located in Wales. The 2025/26 Welsh Budget included the announcement that higher rates, i.e. those that apply to purchases of additional dwellings by an individual (or any purchase by a company), will increase by 1% with effect from 11 December 2024. The rates, which apply to the consideration at the date of completion, are now as follows:
First £180,000 |
5% |
Next £70,000 |
8.5% |
Next £150,000 |
10% |
Next £350,000 |
12.5% |
Next £750,000 |
15% |
Remainder over £1,500,000 |
17% |
No change has been made to the Welsh rate of income tax meaning that Welsh taxpayers remain aligned with the main UK rates for at least another year.
Related Topics
-
Is basis period reform really over and done with?
You heaved a sigh of relief after submitting your 2023/24 self-assessment tax return, especially as it meant the fiddly basis period calculations were behind you. But why might it be to your advantage to revisit them?
-
Government seeks views on inheritance tax changes for trusts
The government has opened a consultation on aspects of the application of the £1m allowance for property settled into trust qualifying for 100% agricultural property relief or business property relief. What is this looking at and how do you take part?
-
Reduce tax on gains with EIS incentives
You recently made a capital gain on which you’ll have to pay tax. You’ve been told that if you invest in an enterprise investment scheme (EIS), you can defer the capital gains tax, but might it also reduce what you have to pay?