Tom Neville (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Finance if people purchasing a second-hand house can be considered under the help-to-buy scheme; if they must pay property tax in the first year in view of the fact they are first-time buyers; and if they can claim back DIRT on savings used to purchase the home (details supplied). [49188/17]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Help to Buy initiative does not apply to the purchase of second-hand properties. It is instead a targeted response that is aimed at first-time buyers, buying (or building) new residences.

I am advised by Revenue that local property tax is generally payable following the purchase of a second-hand house where the house was built before 1 May 2013. In relation to first-time buyers, there was a limited exemption available where a house (whether new or second-hand) was purchased during the year 2013. However, purchases of houses after that time no longer qualify for this exemption.

I am advised by Revenue that Section 266A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for refunds of Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) for first-time buyers who purchase a house or apartment to live in as their home. It also applies to first time buyers who self-build a home to live in. Refunds can be claimed by a first-time buyer of a house or apartment who purchases or self-builds a property between 14 October 2014 and 31 December 2017. The first-time buyer must not have, either individually or jointly with any other person, previously purchased or built a house or apartment. In order to make a claim for the DIRT refund the property must be registered for Local Property Tax (LPT) as the refund is processed through the LPT system. It is not required that Local Property Tax has been paid on the property in order to avail of the DIRT refund. Further information on the DIRT refund scheme is available on Revenue.ie - DIRT refunds for First Time Buyers”