Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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211. To ask the Minister for Finance the total taxable profits of companies here in 2012 and the corporation tax paid that year, in value and as a percentage. [31756/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistical data is not yet available for the year 2012 as corporation returns associated with 2012 accounting periods are not yet due in many cases.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has considered setting a minimum threshold for profits to be retained here for corporation tax purposes, if the company is incorporated here and or resident for tax purposes. [31757/13]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Companies incorporated or resident in the State for tax purpose are chargeable to corporation tax on all of the profits arising from their trading activities here after taking account of allowable deductions and reliefs as provided for in the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Dividends and other distributions are not deductible in computing profits for tax purposes: whether a company retains its profits or distributes them to its shareholders or parent company does not affect the amount of those profits that is chargeable to corporation tax, and I am assuming that this is not what the Deputy has in mind. Setting a minimum threshold of profits for corporation tax purposes would involve restricting deductible amounts, in respect of what would otherwise be allowable deductions and reliefs, to a percentage of profits before those deductions and reliefs. For companies whose net taxable profits would otherwise be below such a threshold, imposing such a cap on the aggregate amount of deductions and allowances would effectively increase the rate of tax above 12.5%. I do not believe that such an approach would provide a suitable basis for taxing company profits or that it would be a desirable option in the context of our 12.5% corporation tax regime and its important role in generating investment and jobs in the economy.