Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's amendment refers to the income tax exemption limits available to taxpayers aged over 65 years. Such individuals whose income is below the relevant exemption limit are not liable to income tax. The current annual exemption limits for people aged 65 and over are €18,000 for an individual and €36,000 for a married couple or a couple in a civil partnership. The purpose of the exemption is to identify an income threshold below which a taxpayer aged 65 or over is not required to pay income tax or to submit claims to Revenue for income tax reliefs. This exemption limit does not equate to the amount of income which would be sheltered by the tax credits available to the individual or couple as both the exemption limit and the tax credit available can vary depending on the personal circumstances of the individual. However, I note that the exemption limits are slightly above the point at which such individuals would enter into a liability to income tax based on the current PAYE and age tax credits. As there have been no changes to personal PAYE or age tax credits in recent years, I do not see a need to review the exemption limits for those aged over 65. I am, therefore, not minded to expend resources on the production of the report requested by the Deputy and, consequently, cannot accept the amendment.

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