Written answers

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

8:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of tax revenue from the taxi industry in each of the past ten years; his plans for ensuring that tax avoidance and tax evasion are eliminated in the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3250/11]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as the information furnished on tax returns does not generally require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of economic activity to be identified, the precise figures of net yield of tax revenues from the taxi industry cannot be readily identified. Information can, however, be provided on an estimated basis to indicate the approximate net amounts of taxes paid (i.e. after allowing for repayments) by taxpayers who operate a taxi service or other forms of car hire in relation to VAT (not including VAT on imports), PAYE, PRSI, Income tax non-PAYE, Corporation tax and Capital Gains Tax.

On this basis the combined figures of yield under these taxheads in each of the years 2005 to 2009 inclusive is estimated as follows:

€ million

2005: 36.6

2006: 31.4

2007: 32.1

2008: 23.5

2009: 15.2

Corresponding figures for 2010 are not yet available.

Data on this basis are not readily available for years prior to 2005 and could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of Revenue records.

The figures for the tax heading "Income Tax (non-PAYE)" is based on sectoral information associated with direct tax payments from the self-employed only and is not available in respect of other subheads of non-PAYE income tax.

The sector identifier used on the tax records is "taxi operation or other renting of private cars with operator" which is derived from the 4 digit "NACE code (Rev. 1)", an internationally recognised economic activity code system. The NACE codes are not essential for the assessment and collection of taxes and duties and the correct allocation and maintenance of these codes is subject to the limit of available resources. NACE code classifications on tax records are compiled by reference to the primary area of economic activity reported by individual and corporate taxpayers on their own behalf and the taxes collected are allocated to those codes without reference to the precise economic activity which generated them. While the accuracy of the NACE codes on tax records is sufficient to underpin broad sector-based analyses there will undoubtedly be some inaccuracies at individual level. This should be borne in mind when considering the information provided.

The Revenue Commissioners inform me that they are committed to tackling tax evasion and avoidance across all areas of the economy. Their goal is to prevent a loss of revenue to the State and at the same time to ensure that a level playing pitch exists for the benefit of legitimate trade interests, including those in the taxi and hackney industries.

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the application of the carbon tax to coal and commercial peat. [3254/11]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The section in the Finance Act 2010 that provides for application of the carbon tax to solid fuels (coal and commercial peat) is subject to a Ministerial Commencement Order. This approach was primarily adopted in order to allow time for a robust mechanism to be put in place to improve the control of high sulphur coal being sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers.

The Department of Environment in conjunction with the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) have proposed new regulations for coal which would effectively extend the existing voluntary agreement for low sulphur coal to the entire State on a compulsory regulatory basis.

A stakeholder committee was established last year to provide an input into the proposed regulations. Under EU law dealing with technical barriers to trade, Ireland is required to notify the European Commission of all draft technical regulations concerning products before they are adopted in national law. Formal notification of the proposed new standard for coal issued from NSAI to the EU Commission in November 2010, to which the Commission has three months to respond.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare could be furnished with a P21 for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3263/11]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE Balancing Statement (P21) for the year 2009 will issue to the person concerned shortly.

Photo of Jack WallJack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) can be furnished with a P21 for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3264/11]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE Balancing Statement (P21) for the year 2009 will issue to the person concerned shortly.

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