I am advised by Revenue that the estimated cost for increasing the Universal Social Charge (USC) exemption limit from €13,000 to €50,000, as per the proposal outlined by the Deputy, on a first- and full-year basis, is €790m and €905m respectively.
It is important to note that under this proposal, in circumstances where a taxpayer’s income exceeds €50,000 per annum then they pay USC on their entire income as per the below table:
|
Income Bands
|
PAYE Income %
|
Non-PAYE Income %
|
|
€0 - €12,012
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
|
€12,013 - €28,700
|
2
|
2
|
|
€28,701 - €70,044
|
3
|
3
|
|
€70,044+
|
8
|
8
|
|
€100,000
|
8
|
11
|
This is a cost estimate for 2026 and is based on Revenue’s micro-simulation tool, Tax Modeller, using actual data for the latest year available, currently 2023, adjusted for income and employment trends in the interim.