Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 107: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify the terms of the phased withdrawal of rent relief; in the context of section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, if he will clarify if a person is entitled to continue receiving rent relief when that individual has been continuously renting over the past number of years but has moved property and signed a new lease since the 7 December 2010 cut-off point while at no point ceasing to be a tenant.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23567/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 provides tax relief at the standard rate to individuals who pay for private rented accommodation that is used as their sole or main residence. The level of rent qualifying for rent relief depends on an individual's marital status and age. In Budget 2011, it was announced that rent relief was being withdrawn on a phased basis. No new claimants were allowed from 7 December 2010 but existing claimants will continue to receive the relief, on a reducing basis, with a complete cessation of the relief from 2018.

Any person who was paying rent under a tenancy on 7 December 2010 qualifies for rent relief. A subsequent change from one property to another or from one lease to another does not affect their entitlement to rent credit on a reducing basis.

The following table sets out the withdrawal plan: