Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this matter. The feedback on the ease with which the local property tax, LPT, can be paid has generally been positive. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that over 400,000 people have successfully filed their LPT returns to date and have either paid immediately or selected one of the other available payment options. I understand this afternoon's tax receipts announcement for April will confirm that approximately €21 million has already been paid to the Exchequer in respect of the LPT. The large numbers that are successfully meeting their LPT obligations strongly indicate that not many people are experiencing problems when paying the tax. Revenue is providing a dedicated helpline at 1890 200255 to assist any person experiencing difficulties in either paying or filing and this service is proving to be beneficial in regard to ensuring people clearly understand how to meet their LPT obligations. I am informed by Revenue that a number of different payment options have been put in place to assist people in meeting their obligations, including the option to pay the tax in one single payment or to phase payments in equal instalments from 1 July 2013 to the end of the year. Revenue's strategy in this regard is to ensure taxpayers have a choice of payment options from which they can choose the method which is most suited to their individual circumstances.

Revenue has provided eight separate payment options to facilitate people in meeting their LPT obligations, including a single debit authority, which operates like an electronic cheque, is activated by completing the payslip on the LPT return and will not be deducted from bank accounts by Revenue any earlier than 21 July 2013; debit or credit cards; cheques, bank drafts or postal orders; cash payments, including debit and credit cards, through Revenue approved payment service providers; phased cash payment arrangements, including debit or credit cards, through Revenue approved payment service providers; deduction at source from salary or occupational pension commencing on 1 July 2013; deduction at source from certain payments received from the Department of Social Protection, provided that the deduction does not reduce the personal rate payment to less than €186 per week or deduction at source from payments received from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; or direct debit commencing on 15 July 2013 and deducted on the 15th day of each month thereafter up to 15 December 2013. For the cash payment option, the approved payment service providers appointed by Revenue are An Post, TaxPay, Payzone and Omnivend. These service providers were approved because they have extensive nationwide outlets and are easily accessible. They provide liable persons with the facility to pay the LPT in full or on a phased weekly or monthly basis as best suits individual circumstances.

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