Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Minister for Finance if a first time buyer who signed for their property on 20 December 2012 is exempt from the local property tax; and if not if he will consider an exemption for those who purchased their home from the time of the budget announcement to the 1 January 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21517/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Section 8 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) provides for an exemption from the charge to LPT for a property purchased by a first time buyer between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013. The Deputy will be aware that tax relief on mortgage interest was available subject to certain conditions for first time buyers, in respect of loans taken out in the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2012. It was in that context that the 1 January 2013 date was selected for the LPT exemption, and I do not intend to extend it to properties purchased earlier than that. In relation to your specific question, on the understanding that the purchase of the property by the first time buyer was completed prior to 1 January 2013, the property will not qualify for the LPT exemption.