Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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64. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an income tax amnesty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7643/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The query is with regard to a proposal for an income tax incentive for young farmers starting up farming. In Budget 2015, myself and my colleague Minister Coveney published an Agri-Tax Review, overseen by a working group made up of the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and the Revenue Commissioners. This review examined agri-taxation measures and made recommendations to ensure resources were directed towards activities of maximum benefit to this sector. It also aimed to ensure tax policy was aligned with the objectives set out in Food Harvest 2020, and analyse the benefits of various tax measures versus the costs.

The Review included an independent cost benefit analysis, an international benchmarking exercise and a public consultation process. A number of recommendations were made by the working group to maximise the potential of the primary agriculture sector, and as appropriate, most of these were legislated for through the Finance Act 2014. These included measures to increase the mobility and productive use of land, to assist succession and to complement wider agriculture policies and schemes.

In addition to the taxation measures which are exclusively aimed at the farming community, I would also highlight that farmers are eligible to take part in the Start Your Own Business (SYOB) scheme, introduced by the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013, which provides for relief from Income Tax for long term unemployed individuals who start their own new unincorporated business. The scheme provides an exemption from Income Tax up to a maximum of €40,000 per annum for a period of two years to individuals who set up a qualifying business; having been unemployed for a period of at least 12 months prior to starting the business. The relief is available from the 25 October 2013 to 31 December 2016 and may be claimed on the return of income filed with the Revenue Commissioners. 

Taking all these elements into consideration, I am not minded to consider the proposal made here.