Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 162: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of the artists tax exemption under the Finance Act 1969 for the past five years, according to profession; and the number of artists by profession availing of the exemption. [16528/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assume that the Deputy is seeking information about the cost to the Exchequer of the exemption of certain earnings of writers, composers and artists by reference to artistic category and the number of artists in each category claiming the exemption. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant available information relates to the overall annual cost to the Exchequer of the exemption and the total numbers of claimants as included in income tax returns filed for the five income tax years between the 1998-99 tax year and the 2002 tax year, the latest tax year for which information is available. The available information is contained in the following table:

The estimate of cost provided for 2002 is provisional and subject to revision. A breakdown of the figures by artistic category is not available. The Deputy may wish to know that, under freedom of information legislation, the Revenue Commissioners publish details on their website of individuals who have been granted a determination allowing them to claim the artists exemption in respect of income earned from the sale of their works. The names of those qualifying for the relief with effect from the 21 April 1998 are available on the website, www.revenue.ie. The list is set out in alphabetical order in each of the five categories of work covered by the exemption — a book or other writing, a play, a musical composition, a painting or like picture, or a sculpture. The list is updated on a quarterly basis.

As PAYE taxpayers were charged to tax on their earnings in the period from 6 April to 31 December 2001 and self-employed taxpayers were assessed to tax for the short year on 74% of the profits earned in a 12-month accounting period, data provided for the short tax year of 2001 may not be directly comparable with those of earlier and later years. A married couple that elected or was deemed to have elected for joint assessment is counted as a single tax unit.