Results 12,501-12,520 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that during 2006 there were 527 audits of Landlords or persons returning Rental Income and these cases produced audit yield of â¬4.74m. These cases included persons with a variety of rental income, e.g. from commercial lettings. Revenue is not in a position to say how many of these cases were landlords of private rented dwellings.
- Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that as Revenue staff are not specifically engaged in investigating non-compliance in any particular sector at any one time, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy. Staff engaged in compliance and enforcement units are organised in multi disciplinary teams engaged in a broad range of activities to combat non-compliance....
- Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: At 1 November 2002, the following staff were employed by my predecessor Mr. Charlie McCreevy, T.D. in this Department. Name Title Date of appointment Annual Salary Range Allow-ance Dermot Ryan Press Officer 20 June 2002 â¬51,133 â â¬63,939 10% basic salary Noeleen McCreevy Personal Secretary 7 June 2002 â¬17,106 â â¬33,003 10% basic salary Michael Fitzpatrick Personal Assistant...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: The following are details of staff appointed by me. Name Title Date of appointment Annual Salary Range Allow-ance Gerry Steadman Special Adviser 30 September 2004 â¬99,195 Colin Hunt Special Adviser 13 September 2006 â 14 June 2007 â¬160,942* John Conlon Press Officer 11 November 2004 â¬69,179 â â¬86,504 10% basic salary Sinead Dooley Personal Secretary 8 October 2004...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: The position is that the VAT treatment of goods and services is governed by EU law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The rate of VAT that applies to a particular good or service is determined by the nature of the good or service, and not by the status of the customer. There is no provision in European VAT law that would allow the application of an exemption or reduction of VAT on supplies...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: It is long-standing practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax or expenditure matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions. I do not intend to depart from this approach.
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I assume that the Deputy has in mind the re-introduction of roll-over relief. It was announced in the 2003 Budget that no roll-over relief would be allowed for any purpose on gains arising from disposals on or after 4 December 2002. This relief was introduced when CGT rates were much higher than current levels. The abolition of this relief was in accordance with the overall taxation policy...
- Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in the absence of a reply to a query raised in relation to a claim under the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations, 1994, this case could not be finalised. Following reminders issued by Revenue's Central Repayments Office a satisfactory reply was received from the named organisation on 7 November 2007 and a...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I have noted the recommendation of the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service regarding the time limit for claiming refunds of overpaid tax. My predecessor as Minister for Finance examined the whole question of taxpayers' entitlement to repayment of tax and interest with a view to introducing, in so far as practicable, a uniform scheme which was fair and reasonable for taxpayers,...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: First-time buyers are exempt from stamp duty when purchasing either new or second-hand residential properties. However, the purchase of land, which is not connected with a contract to build a house, attracts stamp duty at normal non-residential rates, regardless of the status of the purchaser. This is a long standing provision and recognises the fact that land is bought and sold for a...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: The position is that the VAT ratings of all goods and services are subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive Member States may apply a reduced VAT rate to those goods and services which are listed in Annex III of the Directive. In addition, Member States may retain a reduced VAT rate for goods and services to which a reduced VAT...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In the Irish context, these derogations allowed for reduced rates to apply to fuel used for public transport services which includes school transport services. While these derogations expired on 31 December 2006, Ireland, along with other...
- Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: It is assumed that what the Deputy requires are the numbers of income earners, both PAYE and self-employed, on the income tax record for the years in question who have a tax liability. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information is as shown in the table. Numbers of income earners 1997/98 to 2007 (rounded to the nearest hundred) Tax Year Income earners with a...
- Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: The minimum wage in 2006 was â¬7.65 per hour. On an annualised basis, this is equivalent to â¬15,514.20 assuming a 39 hour working week. In 2006 the entry point to income tax under the PAYE system was â¬15,600 per annum for a single person under 65. The current minimum wage is â¬8.65 per hour. On an annualised basis, this is equivalent to â¬17,542.20 assuming a 39 hour working week....
- Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available is the amount of tax revenues collected as Mineral Oil Tax (excise) and VRT in respect of motor vehicles. The information furnished with VAT returns does not require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of trade to be identified. However, the estimated receipts of VAT from cars and motor fuels are...
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (13 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts (RACs) and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) for the income tax year 2004. RACs and PRSAs are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. The information is set...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: The restrictions on the use of tax reliefs announced in Budget 2006 and provided for in Section 17 of Finance Act 2006, which took effect from 1 January 2007, were introduced to ensure equity in the tax system. Income from the harvesting of forestry was listed as one of the specified reliefs that would be affected by the measures. Relief not used in one tax year can be carried over to...
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I take it the Deputy is referring to projects undertaken under the Town Renewal Scheme. Developers of projects wishing to avail of the tax reliefs provided for under the Town Renewal Scheme must obtain a letter of certification from the relevant local authority stating that the development is consistent with the objectives of the Town Renewal Plan. This requirement is provided for in...
- Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (8 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: I have noted the issues raised by the Cider Industry Council and they will be considered in the context of the forthcoming Budget.
- Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Nov 2007)
Brian Cowen: Section 30 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 deals with the treatment, for capital gains tax (CGT) purposes, of partnerships. It provides that, in the case of a business partnership, chargeable gains accruing to the partners on the disposal of partnership assets are assessed and charged on them separately and not on the partnership itself. In this case, the dissolution of a business...