Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
313. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce legislative changes to exempt actively farmed land from the residential zoned land tax, given the concerns that the annual 3% tax on market value could force the sale of intergenerational land; the steps that will be taken to address the rejection of exemption submissions by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35656/24]
View answerResidential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) applies to land zoned for residential development, which also has the necessary services in place for the development of housing. The aim of this tax is to increase the supply of land for building. It will be charged at 3% of the market value of the land every year. It is important to note that landowners will not have to pay the RZLT if they own a dwelling which appears on the local authorities’ RZLT Maps, but which is also subject to the Local Property Tax (LPT).
As part of Budget 2024, a decision was made to defer the initial liability date of the residential zoned land tax by one year, from February 2024 to February 2025. This allowed for another mapping cycle to be completed and it afforded landowners and third parties a further opportunity engage with local authorities. The RZLT liability date is 1 February 2025 with first returns and payments due in May 2025.
My officials are currently engaging with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on RZLT and I will consider policy options on this measure in advance of Budget 2025.
