Buy-to-let landlords and people buying second homes in Scotland will have to pay an extra 3% charge on purchase prices, Scottish finance secretary John Swinney has announced.
The increase in the land and buildings transaction tax, which replaced UK stamp duty last April, follows a similar announcement by the UK chancellor last month.
The graduated tax works in a similar way to income tax. Under the current system, property acquisitions of up to £145,000 are not taxed.
For purchases between £145,000 and £250,000, a tax rate of 2% is charged, rising to 5% for properties up to £325,000.
The maximum rate is currently 12% for properties sold for more than £750,000.
Delivering his budget, Swinney said he expected the legislation on the new second-home charge to be in place by April 2016.
