Results 14,161-14,180 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I would draw to the Deputy's attention that the stamp duty head of charge for mortgages was abolished in the recent Budget with regard to mortgage deeds executed on or after 7 December 2006. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as mortgages which are being switched from one bank to another are not required to be specifically identified as such, a separate breakdown of stamp duty...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together. The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/ CSF) 2000-2006 is an integrated investment plan and strategy for economic and social development for Ireland. The Plan is delivered through seven Operational Programmes (OPs), the Economic and Social Infrastructure OP, the Employment and Human Resources OP, the Productive...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that on 20 September 2006 the taxpayer in question requested balancing statements for the years 2002 to 2005. Following a review of his liability a total underpayment of €4,906.67 arose. The underpayment arose due to the fact that his spouse was in receipt of invalidity pension during the above years, which had previously been untaxed. The...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality the Revenue Commissioners would not divulge information regarding the tax affairs of individual taxpayers (including companies).

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that VAT deductibility is allowed in the case of motor vehicles that are classed as Category B or C for VRT purposes but not for Category A vehicles (cars). Category B vehicles would typically include what are commonly called "crew cabs" or commercial jeeps while Category C vehicles would include vans and lorries. VAT deductibility is allowed in the case of Category B or C...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I responded to some 2,300 Parliamentary Questions in 2006, both written and oral. Parliamentary Questions are dealt with, as the need arises, by the staff in the sections dealing with the particular issue(s) raised in individual Parliamentary Questions. The number and level of staff and time spent on an individual answer depends on the complexity of the issues raised, the form in which the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Office of Public Works have agreed terms on suitable accommodation for Revenue in Listowel. The Office of Public Works are currently finalising the fit-out of the premises and the indicative timeframe for occupation is now mid-2007.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Finance Act 2000 introduced changes to the way in which tax was paid on life policies taken out after 1 January 2001 (the gross roll up regime). Under gross roll up, no tax is charged on investment proceeds during the term of the investment, but an exit tax (of 23%) applies on the net investment proceeds paid to a policy holder when the policy matures or when rights under the policy are...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: All statutory instruments which were made by me in 2006 were published in accordance with Section 3 of the Statutory Instruments Act 1947.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the excess deductions were in fact due to human error rather than a computing error and the financial institutions played no role in the incident. Revised procedural and communication arrangements have been put in place by Revenue to prevent such a recurrence. I am further advised by Revenue that the work in refunding the amounts deducted in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I should explain that not-for-profit organisations are exempt from VAT under the EU VAT Directive with which Irish law must comply. The means that non-profit making organisations do not charge VAT on their services and cannot recover VAT on goods and services which they purchase. Essentially only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover VAT. The VAT Act lists a range of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I take it the Deputy is referring to the tax incentives, including the Section 23 relief for rented residential accommodation, that are currently provided under the 1999 Urban Renewal Scheme. There are 49 urban areas designated for a range of reliefs under the 1999 Urban Renewal Scheme. Athlone is among the 49 urban areas designated for tax relief under this scheme and in all 5 sub-areas...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Section 34 of the Finance Act 2005 introduced a number of changes to the capital allowance regime for hotels, guesthouses, holiday hostels and holiday camps. Guesthouses and holiday hostels were specifically brought into the capital allowances regime for the first time. Also, the entitlement to the capital allowances was provided for the first time on the basis of buildings being registered...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (31 Jan 2007)

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 — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Jan 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that I announced in Budget 2007 that the maximum level of rent paid for private rented accommodation on which tax relief can be claimed, at the standard rate of tax, is being increased for those aged under 55 years of age, from €1,650 to €1,800 per annum for a single person and from €3,300 to €3,600 per annum for widowed and married persons. This equates to a tax...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (31 Jan 2007)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Primary Medical Certificate required to qualify for the Disabled Drivers' and Disabled Passengers' (Tax Concessions) Scheme, which 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...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (31 Jan 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 502, 588 and 589 together. I welcome the NYCI Report which raises many important issues regarding young people and their management of credit card debt and is further evidence of the increased awareness of the importance of consumer protection in the field of financial services. I understand that the Financial Regulator is examining the 'Can You Credit It'...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (31 Jan 2007)

Brian Cowen: The payment of tax liabilities by a taxpayer is a matter between the taxpayer and the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised by Revenue that the taxpayer in question holds several employments, and his tax credits are accordingly distributed across the employments. This may be causing him some difficulties. However, his local tax District has no record of any approach from him, and in the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Jan 2007)

Brian Cowen: The following Table 1 sets out the total number of PAYE refunds for the period 1 November 2004 to 30 November 2006, together with totals for the number of refund applications resolved, amount refunded, and the number of underpayments, (plus an estimate for the number of refund applications outstanding at 30 November 2006). Table 2 sets out the monthly breakdown for each of these categories,...