The Welsh Government has published a consultation document seeking views on the most appropriate approach for making changes to the Welsh Tax Acts. The Welsh Tax Acts are the Acts that relate to the charging, collection and management of the taxes that have been fully devolved to the Welsh Government, (ie, LTT and LDT).
Legislative process
It may be necessary to make changes to the Welsh Tax Acts for several reasons, for example, in response to changes made by the UK Government to a UK predecessor tax. The UK predecessor tax for LTT is stamp duty land tax and for LDT is landfill tax. Currently, the Welsh Ministers have several statutory methods for making changes to the Welsh Tax Acts, including through secondary legislation (eg, regulations). These are summarised in the consultation document.
The consultation document sets out a number of potential approaches to the legislative process for making changes to the Welsh Tax Acts. These include developing an annual finance bill, or an annual, or less frequent, tax bill process for Wales. The Welsh Government has not made a recommendation as to which approach it considers most appropriate.
Have your say
The consultation will close on 28 November 2025. If you have views on the issues raised in the consultation that could inform a response by ICAEW’s Tax Faculty, please contact Lindsey Wicks by 3 November 2025.
In a press release published alongside the consultation document, the Welsh Government says that the findings from the consultation “will help inform future decisions about how Wales manages its tax legislation and will be published by early 2026”.
Possible developments in Scotland
In December 2024, the Scottish Government indicated that it will give further consideration to the case for introducing changes to the legislative processes for the fully devolved taxes in Scotland, and the topic has since been discussed at the recent Scottish Tax Conference. The matter was previously considered by the Scottish devolved taxes legislation working group, which published an interim report before work was paused in 2020.
Tax policy update
HM Treasury will be attending ICAEW's Annual Conference 2025 with a session discussing tax policy and economic growth in the weeks ahead of the Budget.
The Tax Faculty
ICAEW's Tax Faculty is recognised internationally as a leading authority and source of expertise on taxation. The faculty is the voice of tax for ICAEW, responsible for all submissions to the tax authorities. Join the Faculty for expert guidance and support enabling you to provide the best advice on tax to your clients or business.
Further resources
Latest news
TAXwire and Tax Track
Stay up to date with the latest developments by signing up to the Tax Faculty's weekly enewsletter and listening to the Tax Track podcast series.
Listen now Newsletter sign upPractical guidance
Tax Faculty resources
The Tax Faculty offers expert guidance and support enabling you to provide the best advice on tax legislation to your clients or business. We offer clear direction in taxing times. Membership is open to everyone.
ICAEW support
Training and events
Browse upcoming and on-demand ICAEW events and webinars focused on developments in tax practice and policy.
Events and webinars CPD courses and more