Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 531: To ask the Minister for Finance the receipts from DIRT tax for each year from 1997 to date in 2007; the number of people or accounts it is levied on in each of those years; the arrangements in force in respect of refunds where DIRT is levied on taxpayers with unused personal tax allowances and credits; if there are special allowances in place in respect of people over 65; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1274/07]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The following table sets out the net yield from DIRT collected from 1997 to 2007 to date:

The amount of Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) due to be paid each year is dependent on the amount of monies on deposit and the rates of interest applying to such deposits, rather than on the number of accounts involved. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the statutory return of DIRT filed by the financial institutions requires details only of the relevant amount of interest paid in the year and the appropriate tax in relation to the payment of that interest. Such DIRT returns are subject to audit by the Revenue Commissioners.

A refund of DIRT is provided for in very limited circumstances only, viz. an individual who is not liable or fully liable to income tax and is over 65 years of age at some time during the tax year, or is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental/physical infirmity from maintaining themselves (Bodies qualifying for 'charitable' status and companies are also entitled to refund of DIRT).

Under existing provisions, the taxpayer must advise Revenue that they meet the legislative requirements and the amount of the retention tax paid. However, as the Deputy is aware, I announced in the recent Budget that, in 2007, credit institutions will be enabled to operate DIRT-free accounts for those aged 65 and over and for those who are permanently incapacitated, where their income falls below the relevant income tax limits. These changes will be included in the forthcoming Finance Bill.

The Revenue Commissioners issued 11,620 copies of the relevant Form (Form 54D) for 2005 to those who had claimed refunds in previous years. The Forms for 2006 will be issued during the first quarter of 2007.