Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 36: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide information on the taxation arrangements of landlords, in particular details on the number of landlords who receive their income from the community welfare rental allowance and the number of houses that are rented in this manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24940/06]

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

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that landlords are liable to Income Tax on their net rental income, which is calculated by reducing gross rents by allowable deductions such as mortgage interest, repairs, maintenance and insurance. By virtue of a provision of this year's Finance Act, from 2006 onwards the deductibility of mortgage interest is dependent on the landlord meeting the statutory requirements regarding registration with the Private Residential Tenancies Board.

Neither my Department nor the Revenue Commissioners maintain any detailed statistics regarding the number of landlords nor the number of properties that come within the scope of the rent supplement scheme, which is administered by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the Minister for Social & Family Affairs. There is essentially no difference in the Income Tax treatment of rent received from private tenants and rent subsidies received under the community welfare allowance scheme.