Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 215: To ask the Minister for Finance if an update is planned of the Revenue Commissioners' study of the effective tax rates of the top 400 earners; the timetable for the publication of this updated report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31973/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as the measure to restrict the use of incentive tax reliefs and exemptions by high earners (section 17 of the Finance Act 2006) came into effect in the tax year 2007, they plan to publish a study on the effectiveness of the restriction, which will look in detail at the use of tax incentives by high earners and their effective tax rates. This study will cover all high earners subject to the 2006 Act restriction (generally those with earnings of more than €250,000 in a tax year) and will therefore be broader in scope than the previous "top 400" studies carried out by Revenue. The first study for the tax year 2007 will be published once sufficient tax returns for that year have been processed and the data has been analysed. This is expected to be in the early part of 2009.

I am advised by Revenue that the study will include, subject to any confidentiality issues which may arise, an analysis of the numbers affected by the restriction by reference to income bands, details of the additional tax paid due to the measure, an analysis of the effective tax rates of those affected and a breakdown of the amount of income sheltered by the use of each incentive or relief restricted by the measure.