Written answers

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Department of Finance

Property Tax Administration

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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240. To ask the Minister for Finance if persons that earn under the statutory rate of income can have the local property tax deducted from their disability allowance weekly payments of €193.00 in view of the fact that persons are forced to pay it at a post office must also pay the €1 fee for each monthly transaction leaving them €12 per annum worse off on a €90 charge as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27113/17]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The concept of a ‘de minimis’ welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) is enshrined in social welfare legislation. The current ‘de minimis’ threshold is set at €191 per week and Revenue has no authority to arrange Local Property Tax (LPT) deductions that reduce a person’s payment below this amount.

 In cases where LPT cannot be deducted from DSP payments, there are other phased payment options available to assist property owners in spreading the liability over the course of the year. These options include monthly Direct Debits through banks and certain credit union accounts and flexible payments through four approved Payment Service Providers including An Post, Payzone, Omnivend and PayPoint. Each of these service providers applies various transaction charges that are outside of Revenue's control.

Revenue has already discussed the DSP related ‘de minimis’ limitations with the person in question and has outlined the various other payment options that exist for LPT. Having considered the options the person has decided to meet their 2017 liability through one of the approved Payment Service Providers.

The person is fully aware of the associated transaction costs and understands that they are outside of Revenue’s control. To assist the person in reducing the transaction costs Revenue has advised them that it is fully acceptable to make monthly rather than weekly payments for the remainder of the year.

The person has also been provided with a direct telephone contact should he require any further assistance or have any other queries.

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