Written answers

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Department of Finance

Property Taxation Collection

Photo of Patrick NultyPatrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
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217. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps he will take to address the fact that persons paying their property tax on a weekly basis must pay an extra euro; his views on whether this impacts much harder on persons on lower incomes who can only afford to pay on a weekly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39726/13]

Photo of Michael NoonanMichael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that taxpayers have a wide choice of payment options for the Local Property Tax (LPT) from which they can choose the method which is most suited to their individual circumstances. There are currently eight separate options available, including the option to pay the tax through phased cash payments from 1 July 2013 to the end of the year. The cash payment option is available through three different approved payment service providers, which are An Post TaxPay, Payzone and Omnivend. The appointed service providers have extensive nationwide outlets and can process payment of LPT either in full as a single payment or by phased payments on a weekly or monthly basis as best suits individual needs. The imposition of transaction charges is at the discretion of the individual service providers and Revenue has no role in this regard. I understand An Post charges €1 per transaction; Payzone charges 75 cents per transaction for payments up to €50, €1 per transaction for payments between €50.01 and €100 and €2 per transaction for payments over €100; and Omnivend charges a fee of 4% per transaction.

Revenue provides two further facilities to make phased payments. Firstly, since 1 July 2013 payment of LPT can be made by way of deduction at source from employment, occupational pension income or from certain payments made by the Departments of Social Protection and Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This option does not incur any fees or charges and facilitates payment of LPT in even amounts across the year in question. Secondly, phased payments can be made by way of direct debit from the property owner’s current account in a bank or other financial institution, including a credit union. Direct debit deductions commenced from 15 July 2013 and are deducted on the 15 day of each month. Normal direct debit fees charged by financial institutions apply to these payments.

I am satisfied that Revenue has provided an excellent variety of options to facilitate payment of LPT in the easiest way possible and I commend the Commissioners for their efforts in this regard.

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