On last night's TV debate, Nicola Sturgeon tried to play down the impact of the new tax by claiming it will only hit multinationals such as RBS and Amazon.
In fact, the new tax will impact nearly 30,000 Scottish business premises including high street shops, distilleries, and mid-sized Scottish firms such as confectionery firm Tunnock's and Stirling-based Graham's dairies.
In total, one in eight business premises will be affected by the new tax, adding an extra £60 million onto their rates bill.
It means that such firms now face paying a thumping 51 per cent tax rate on the rateable value of their property - making Scotland less competitive compared to the rest of the United Kingdom.
Earlier this week, five leading trade bodies joined forces to protest against the move, saying it would stifle jobs and investment.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
"Nicola Sturgeon tried to con people on TV last night by claiming this SNP tax will only hit multi-nationals and banks.
"The truth is that her new supertax is targeted at thousands of local Scottish firms, hotels and shops.
"These firms aren't multinationals, they are the lifeblood of local communities the length and breadth of Scotland.
"And now the SNP wants to milk them with a 50 per cent tax on their properties which will only limit their ability to hire a new apprentice or invest in staff.
"At a time when unemployment has shot up by 20,000, taking an extra £60 million in tax out of the economy is the wrong choice and deeply irresponsible.
"We need to give help to job creators. Instead, the SNP is going down the path of job destruction.
"Nicola Sturgeon needs to think again - and as a strong opposition, we will demand she does so."