Results 5,021-5,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, I do not comment on possible changes ahead of the Budget. I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are unable, due to data difficulties, to provide a cost for introducing an exemption from stamp duty for sporting bodies. The Deputy may already be aware of the fact that an exemption from stamp duty is provided for in the stamp duty code in respect of a...

Written Answers — Tax Compliance: Tax Compliance (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I can confirm that the statement given by me in July 2006 on the question of non-compliance with EU Regulation 2064/97 was correct. There has been no change in the position in the interim.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The application of VAT in these cases is governed by EU law. Nursing home services provided by the HSE are not, as the Deputy suggests, subject to the zero VAT rate. The position is that homecare services provided directly by the Health Service Executive are exempt from VAT, as public bodies are not regarded as taxable persons. This means that they do not charge VAT on the services they...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have noted the issues raised by the Council in question and they will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Section 13 of the Finance Act 2006 provided for a scheme of tax relief for income received from the provision of certain childcare services. The scheme operates broadly on the basis that if gross annual income from the provision of childcare services in a person's own home does not exceed €10,000 in a tax year, the income is fully exempt from tax. In determining whether the income level...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The 2006 Budget and Finance Act introduced an imputed or notional distribution of 3% of the value of the assets of an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) on 31 December each year, which notional amount will be taxed at the ARF owner's marginal income tax rate. Funds actually drawn down by ARF owners will be credited against the imputed distribution in that year to arrive at a net imputed amount,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the position in relation to occupational pension schemes. In that regard, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the maximum annual tax relieved contribution that an employee, including a director, may make towards his or her pension scheme is determined by the individual's age and the level of his or her remuneration, subject to an overall...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As regards the rent-a-room scheme, the position is that where an individual receives less than €7,620 in income during a tax year from renting out a room or rooms in his or her own home, that income is exempt from income tax and it is not taken into account for the purposes of social insurance and the health levy. However, if the income received exceeds €7,620, the amount received is...

Written Answers — Property Market: Property Market (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In estimating the Pre-Budget Outlook 2007 tax projection, my Department forecast a volume decrease of -1.0 per cent in new house output for 2007. A new house price increase of +5 per cent was also forecast. These new house volume and price growth estimates are subject to change in the Budget 2007 tax forecasts. There are no reliable macro economic indicators currently available which detail...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there are no specific tax breaks available to build leisure centres, bowling alleys and kiddies play complexes. Tax relief, in the form of capital allowances, may be available under one of the general property-based incentive schemes, depending on where the premises is located and the circumstances of the case. Tax relief is available for the...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions...

Seanad: Estimates for Public Services 2007: Statements (23 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I welcome this opportunity to address Seanad Éireann on the Government's pre-budget Estimates for 2007. The 2007 gross pre-budget Estimates provide for expenditure of just over €54 billion, comprising €46.7 billion on the current side and €7.6 billion on the capital side. This represents an increase of just over €4 billion, or 8.1% over the 2006 forecast outturn. The Estimates...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a person who qualifies for a Primary Medical Certificate issued by the Senior Area Medical Officer of their local HSE may avail of tax relief (VRT and VAT) on a vehicle under the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. There are separate arrangements for a Disabled Driver and a Disabled Passenger. The...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In "Towards 2016", the social partners agreed that work should continue on outstanding public service pension reform issues. These issues form part of a programme of actual and proposed changes over recent years which is largely based on the recommendations in 2000 of the Commission on Public Service Pensions, which were accepted in principle by Government. As indicated in my reply to...

Written Answers — Social Finance Initiative: Social Finance Initiative (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government has agreed that the Social Finance Initiative announced in Budget 2006 will be implemented through the establishment of a not-for-profit company to act as a wholesale supplier of social finance. The seed capital funding committed by the banking community to the implementation of the Initiative is €25 million. The social finance company will be established on a non-statutory...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that between 4 April 2006 and 22 November 2006 there were 392 instances where various stamp duty reliefs which had been granted were clawed back. The total yield from the clawbacks amounted to €3,227,791. Generally each clawback referred to only one property. The clawbacks were in respect of 4 reliefs as follows: Young Trained Farmer relief,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 29 of the Finance Act, 2005 made provision to allow farmers to elect to have certain farm subsidy payments, otherwise taxable in 2005, spread over the three years 2005, 2006 and 2007 for income tax purposes. The provision applied to individuals engaged in the trade of farming in the tax year 2005 who were in receipt of payments in 2005...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have received a submission on behalf of the Association in question and the contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget. However I would like to explain to the Deputy the background to the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme. The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that current information on record on behalf of the taxpayers is not in accordance with the information provided in the details supplied with the question. In order to clarify matters, the Wexford Revenue District will make direct contact with the taxpayers and amend records and relevant tax credits as appropriate.