Written answers
Tuesday, 5 December 2017
Department of Finance
Tax Reliefs Eligibility
Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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146. To ask the Minister for Finance the changes introduced to the criteria for qualification for tax relief in respect of third level fees in each of the years since 2004, in tabular form. [51921/17]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by Revenue that section 473A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for tax relief at the standard rate of income tax in respect of qualifying fees paid by an individual for a third level education course, including a postgraduate course.
For all years, the colleges must have complied with a Code of Standards laid down by the Minister for Education and Skills and the courses must have been approved by this Minister.
Certain other criteria have changed throughout the period in question and these are set out in the table below.
| Year | Criteria. |
|---|---|
| 2004 – 2006 | Tax relief available on fees paid by an individual on his/her own behalf, or on behalf of his/her spouse or child, for third level courses. The maximum amount allowable was €5,000 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The €5,000 limit applied per student rather than per claim. |
| 2007 - 2010 | Tax relief available on fees paid by an individual on behalf of any individual for third level courses. The maximum amount allowable was €5,000 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The €5,000 limit applied per student rather than per claim. |
| 2011 - 2012 | Tax relief available on fees paid by an individual on behalf of any individual for third level courses. The maximum amount allowable was €7,000 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The €7,000 limit applied per student rather than per claim. In order to restrict the relief to tuition fees only, an amount equal to the amount of the student contribution was excluded from any claim to relief. This meant that the first €2,000 of all fees claimed by an individual was excluded and did not attract tax relief where the course was full-time, and the first €1,000 where the course was part-time. |
| 2013 | Tax relief available on fees paid by an individual on behalf of any individual for third level courses. The maximum amount allowable was €7,000 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The €7,000 limit applied per student rather than per claim. The excluded amount was €2,500 for full-time courses and €1,255 for part-time courses. |
| 2014 | Tax relief available on fees paid by an individual on behalf of any individual for third level courses. The maximum amount allowable was €7,000 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The €7,000 limit applied per student rather than per claim. The excluded amount was €2,750 for full-time courses and €1,375 for part-time courses. |
| 2015 – to date: | Tax relief available on fees paid by an individual on behalf of any individual for third level courses. The maximum amount allowable is €7000 at the standard rate of income tax (20%). The €7,000 limit applies per student rather than per claim. The excluded amount is €3,000 for full-time courses and €1,500 for part- time courses. |
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