Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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211. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of USC that was raised annually for each year since its introduction from employees' wages, self-employed income and unearned income such as rent, respectively; and the estimated amounts likely to accrue from each in 2017 and 2018, in tabular form. [34520/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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212. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost of abolishing the USC in 2018. [34521/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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213. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost of abolishing the USC on employee wages in 2018. [34522/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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214. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated full year cost of abolishing the USC on single employee wages under €100,000 in 2017 and on couples earning less than €150,000. [34523/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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226. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated amount it would cost to abolish the universal social charge for all incomes under €100,000 and maintain it as it is for those on over €100,000. [34535/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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227. To ask the Minister for Finance the net effect for the State of the abolition of the universal social charge in circumstances (details supplied) [34536/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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228. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated net cost and revenue from abolishing the universal social charge and simultaneously introducing a high earners social charge comprised of levying the current rates of universal social charge on the first €100,000 of income and introducing an additional higher marginal rate of income tax (details supplied) [34537/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 211 to 214, inclusive and Nos. 226 to 228, inclusive, together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the amount of Universal Social Charge (USC) collected annually since its introduction in 2011 to 2016, from both PAYE and Schedule D (self-assessed) income earners, is as set out in the following table. It should be noted that the breakdown (being either PAYE income or Schedule D) is classified based on a taxpayer's primary income source. Schedule D income includes both self-employed income and sources of unearned income including rental income, taxable under Schedule D Case V.  Data are not available to enable a breakdown of USC collected at the level of detail requested by the Deputy beyond that shown in the following table.

As the Deputy will be aware, a significant USC package was introduced in Budget 2017, which will reduce the expected USC receipts in 2017 to approximately €3,725 million. In relation to 2018, an indicative forecast on a no-policy-change basis would imply a projection in the order of €4.0 billion in respect of USC (around €3.5 billion and €0.5 billion for USC PAYE and USC Schedule D respectively). The €4.0 billion includes the carryover effect from Budget 2017 measures.

On this basis, the estimated full year cost of abolishing the USC on PAYE income in 2018 is in the order of €3.5 billion

Following clarification of the Deputy’s question with regard to the abolition of the USC on single employee wages under €100,000 in 2017, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer from abolishing USC on all income under €100,000, with USC at current rates as set out in Budget 2017 to apply on the portion of income above €100,000 where relevant, is in the order of €2,320 million and €2,721 million respectively. As USC is an individualised tax the total income of a jointly assessed couple is not relevant to the calculation of USC liabilities and therefore a cost for the abolition of USC on income of a couple earning less than €150,000 cannot be provided.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer from abolishing USC for all incomes under €100,000 and maintaining it as it is for those on over €100,000, is in the order of €1,894 million and €2,199 million respectively. It should be noted that this would create a significant step effect whereby an additional USC liability of €5,189 would arise where income exceeds €100,000.

With regard to the Deputy’s request for a cost of abolishing USC in the following manner outlined by the Deputy: for all income under €100,000; the maintenance of it as is for those between €100,000 and €150,000; introducing two new bands of USC of 10% for income between €150,001 and €200,000; and a 12% rate for all income over €200,000, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the first and full year cost to the Exchequer is in the order of €2,145 million and €2,481 million respectively. This estimate is premised on the retention of the 3% surcharge on self-employed income in excess of €100,000.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated first and full year cost to the Exchequer from abolishing USC for individuals earning under €100,000, maintaining the current USC rates for those earning over €100,000 and simultaneously introducing additional higher marginal rates of income tax for certain taxpayers in the manner outlined by the Deputy, i.e. earnings between €100,000-€140,000 at a 50% marginal rate, earnings between €140,000-€180,000 at a 55% marginal rate, earnings between €180,000-€250,000 at a 60% marginal rate and earnings above €250,000 at 65% is in the order of €695 million and €619 million, respectively.

Where relevant, the figures provided in response to these questions are estimates from the Revenue tax forecasting model using latest actual data for the year 2014, adjusted as necessary for income, self-employment and employment trends in the interim. They are estimated by reference to 2017 incomes and are provisional and may be revised.