Scottish MSP asks King Charles to confirm council tax premiums on royal estates
A SNP MSP wrote to King Charles asking whether the 200% and 300% council-tax premiums on second homes in Aberdeenshire and Edinburgh are being paid for Balmoral Castle and Holyroodhouse.
An SNP member of the Scottish Parliament sent a letter to King Charles requesting clarification on council-tax charges applied to his Scottish properties. Aberdeenshire Council introduced a 200% premium on second homes in September, while Edinburgh City Council intends to levy a 300% premium, meaning Balmoral Castle and Holyroodhouse could face three- and four-fold increases over the normal rate. The MSP asked the monarch to confirm whether these higher rates are being paid.
He also asked if the King had responded to a Scottish Government consultation on a new “mansion tax” that would create additional council-tax bands for homes worth more than £1 million. The consultation closed on August 24, and the MSP cited valuations of about £50 million for Balmoral and £60 million for Holyroodhouse.
Why it matters
The inquiry highlights how new tax policies could affect high-value royal properties and sparks debate over taxation of wealthy estates in Scotland.
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