Written Answers Nos. 114-133
114. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the number of taxpayer units who may have either underpayments or overpayments for the 2022 and 2023 tax years respectively; the number who have not yet submitted a tax return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43696/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of every year, Revenue makes a Preliminary End of Year Statement available to employees. The Preliminary End of Year Statement sets out a provisional tax position, based on information available on Revenue records. It will show whether an employee has paid the correct amount of Income Tax and Universal Social Charge (USC) for the year.
I am advised by Revenue that the final position for PAYE taxpayers can only be quantified when taxpayers submit their tax returns at the end of the year and claim any additional credits or reliefs that may be due or declare any additional income they may have.
To assist taxpayers balance their tax, Revenue regularly issues letters to taxpayers who according to their Preliminary End of Year Statement, may have either overpaid or underpaid tax in a particular tax year. These letters advise the recipients to submit an Income Tax return to claim any additional tax credits or reliefs that they may be due and/or to declare any additional income they may have received. These letters also remind taxpayers of a four-year time limit in respect of submitting such claims.
Revenue advises that to date 1.2 million PAYE taxpayer units filed an Income Tax return for 2022 and 1.1 million PAYE taxpayer units have already filed for 2023. I am further advised by Revenue that over 1 million PAYE taxpayer units have yet to file an Income Tax return for 2022 with approximately 1.2 million yet to file for 2023. The analysis of those PAYE taxpayers indicates that 600,000 (60%) and 700,000 (58%) taxpayer units in 2022 and 2023 respectively have a balanced tax position. Of the remainder, 155,000 (15%) taxpayer units in 2022 and 167,000 (14%) in 2023 potentially underpaid tax with 245,000 (24%) taxpayer units in 2022 and 330,000 (27%) in 2023 potentially overpaid tax.
Finally, Revenue advises that these figures relate to PAYE taxpayers only, data is not available in respect of potential overpayments or underpayments for self-assessed taxpayers.
115. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Finance to provide an update on the report expected this Autumn on proposed changes to the criteria for the primary medical certificate; if he has received the report; to outline his next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43704/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual.
However, this is very much a matter for Government as whilst my Department has oversight of the DDS, I do not have responsibility for disability policy.
As the Deputy is aware the National Disability & Inclusion Strategy or NDIS Transport Working Group recommended that the DDS be replaced with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme. This is in line with the general view that we need to move away from a medical criteria-based approach to a needs-based approach.
Under the aegis of the Department of the Taoiseach, the sub-group convened to progress NDIS proposals for needs-based, grant-aided, modern vehicle adaptation supports to replace the DDS, have generated a report that is currently being finalised.
In that context, any further changes to the existing DDS would run counter to NDIS proposals to entirely replace the scheme with a modern, fit-for-purpose vehicular adaptation scheme.
116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance to outline the amount of revenue collected each year since 2019 in capital gains tax, deposit interest retention tax and capital acquisitions tax as a result of CervicalCheck payments which encompass payments made under the CervicalCheck non-disclosure ex-gratia scheme, the CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 and claims concluded by way of settlement and court order, in tabular form. [43706/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that it is not in a position to identify the specified revenues collected due to the way in which incomes and gains are recorded and liabilities are calculated on tax returns.
However, I am bringing forward amendments in this year's Finance Bill to provide for exemptions from Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Capital Acquisitions Tax for payments made to women impacted by the failures in the CervicalCheck screening programme, or where such a woman was deceased when the payments were made, payments made directly to her dependant(s). Future and historic income and gains arising to the impacted women from the investment of CervicalCheck payments will also be exempt from the relevant taxes.
These exemptions will apply retrospectively.
Accordingly, an individual can make a claim for a repayment of any taxes paid on the receipt of CervicalCheck payments dating back to 2008.
117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue collected each year since 2019 in capital gains tax, deposit interest retention tax and capital acquisitions tax as a result of payments made under the Stardust ex-gratia payment scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43707/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 9 August 2024, the Government approved a scheme of ex-gratia redress payments for the families of the 48 deceased victims of the Stardust fire.
I am advised that no individual has received payments from the Stardust ex-gratia payment scheme yet, as such, no revenue has been collected as a result of payments under this scheme.
118. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the personal, employee and earned income credits by €50, €100, €150 and €200 every year between 2026 and 2030. [43724/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the point at which a worker enters the higher income tax band by increasing the standard rate cut-off point by €2,000, €2,500 and €3,000 every year from 2026 to 2030. [43725/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra120. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the 2% USC band applying between €12,012 and €27,382 to €35,000, €40,000, €45,000 and €50,000 in the calendar year 2026. [43726/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra121. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the 3% USC band applying from €27,382 to €70,044 to €80,000, €85,000, €90,000, €95,000 and €100,000 in the calendar year 2026. [43727/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra122. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of adjusting the USC thresholds so that the 2% band applies from €12,012 to €40,000 and the 3% band applies from €40,000 to €70,044, in the calendar year 2026. [43728/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra123. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of adjusting the USC thresholds so that the 2% band applies from €12,012 to €50,000 and the 3% band applies from €50,000 to €70,044 in the calendar year 2026. [43729/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra124. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of adjusting the USC thresholds so that the 2% band applies from €12,012 to €40,000, the 3% band applies from €40,000 to €80,000 and the 8% band applies from €80,000 upwards. [43730/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra125. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of adjusting the USC thresholds so that the 2% band applies from €12,012 to €50,000, the 3% band applies from €50,000 to €80,000 and the 8% band applies from €80,000 upwards. [43731/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra126. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of adjusting the USC thresholds so that the 2% band applies from €12,012 to €50,000, the 3% band applies from €50,000 to €90,000 and the 8% band applies from €90,000 upwards. [43732/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of adjusting the USC thresholds so that the 2% band applies from €12,012 to €50,000, the 3% band applies from €50,000 to €100,000 and the 8% band applies from €100,000 upwards. [43733/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 and 127 together.
I am advised by Revenue that, following the announcement of Budget 2025 on 1 October 2024, Revenue is in the process of updating its income tax estimates model to take account of these changes. Once finalised, Revenue will publish an update of the Ready Reckoner, which enables calculation of the cost or yield arising from a range of potential changes to tax charges, by 25 October 2024 on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx
Once published, Revenue will then be in a position to provide estimates for 2025 relating to changes to income tax policy, on a post-Budget 2025 basis.
I am further advised that Revenue cannot provide estimates for later years due to the unknown nature of the future tax base and future economic behaviour.
128. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the capital acquisitions tax group A threshold to €500,000, €550,000 and €600,000. [43734/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the cost of increasing the Capital Acquisitions Tax group A threshold to €500,000, €550,000 and €600,000 and it is set out in table below.
Table 1: Capital Acquisitions Tax Group A
|
Group A |
Cost |
|
€500,000 |
€66m |
|
€550,000 |
€88m |
|
€600,000 |
€106m |
An update of the Ready Reckoner, which enables calculation of the cost or yield arising from a range of potential changes to tax charges, including Capital Acquisitions Tax, is due to issue by 25 October 2024 on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx .
129. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the capital acquisitions tax group B threshold to €50,000, €60,000, €70,000 and (iv) €75,000. [43735/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the cost of increasing the Capital Acquisitions Tax group B threshold to €50,000, €60,000, €70,000 and (iv) €75,000 is set out in the table below.
Table 1: Capital Acquisitions Tax Group B
|
Group B |
Cost |
|
€50,000 |
€30m |
|
€60,000 |
€53m |
|
€70,000 |
€73m |
|
€75,000 |
€82m |
An update of the Ready Reckoner, which enables calculation of the cost or yield arising from a range of potential changes to tax charges, including Capital Acquisitions Tax, is due to issue by 25 October 2024 on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx
130. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the cost of increasing the capital acquisitions tax group C threshold to €30,000, €40,000 and €50,000. [43736/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that the cost of increasing the Capital Acquisitions Tax group C threshold to €30,000, €40,000 and €50,000 is set out in the table below.
Table 1: Capital Acquisitions Tax Group C
|
Group C |
Cost |
|
€30,000 |
€9m |
|
€40,000 |
€15m |
|
€50,000 |
€21m |
An update of the Ready Reckoner, which enables calculation of the cost or yield arising from a range of potential changes to tax charges, including Capital Acquisitions Tax, is due to issue by 25 October 2024 on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/ready-reckoner/index.aspx
131. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the current annual cost of the help to buy scheme, based on the latest data available. [43737/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Help to Buy incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation.
I am advised by Revenue that the annual cost of the Help to Buy scheme is set out in the Cost of Tax Expenditures publication, which is available on the Revenue website at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-tax-expenditures.pdf
The annual cost of the Help to Buy scheme is €185.3 million based on the latest available data for the year 2023.
132. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the additional cost to the State of increasing the help to buy scheme limit from €30,000 to €40,000, based on an average claim of €25,000 per year and €30,000 per year, and 8,000 approvals per year. [43738/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Finance the additional cost to the State of increasing the help to buy scheme limit from €30,000 to €40,000, based on an average claim of €25,000 per year and €30,000 per year, and 9,000 approvals per year [43739/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
The annual cost of the Help to Buy scheme is set out in the Cost of Tax Expenditures publication, which is available on the Revenue website at:
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/tax-expenditures/costs-tax-expenditures.pdf
For 2023, there were 7,000 claims for Help to Buy with a total cost of €185 million, resulting in an average cost of €26,400.
To address the scenarios outlined by the Deputy:
• If 8,000 properties are claimed for at an average claim of €25,000, the estimated cost would be €200 million, with an additional cost to the Exchequer of €15 million.
• If 9,000 properties are claimed for at an average claim of €25,000, the estimated cost would be €225 million, with an additional cost to the Exchequer of €40 million.
• If 8,000 properties are claimed for at an average claim of €30,000, the estimated cost would be €240 million, with an additional cost to the Exchequer of €55 million.
• If 9,000 properties are claimed for at an average claim of €30,000, the estimated cost would be €270 million, with an additional cost to the Exchequer of €85 million.
These estimates assume that all claimants have paid sufficient tax over the previous four years to fully utilise the maximum amount of Help to Buy relief available to them in each case.
