Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2026
58. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the reason a pensioner in County Kildare (details supplied) is paying a high level of income tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40475/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Section 188 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for an age exemption for any year of assessment where an individual is aged 65 years or over and his or her total income does not exceed €18,000 per annum.
Where an individual is a married person or civil partner and is jointly assessed to tax, the age exemption will apply where either individual is aged 65 or over and where the couple’s total income does not exceed €36,000 per annum. Additionally, marginal relief may be available where the individual’s or couple’s income exceeds the relevant exemption limit but is less than twice that amount. Where marginal relief applies, the individual or couple is taxed at 40 per cent on all income above the exemption limit to a ceiling of twice the exemption limit. Persons aged over 65 can avail of the age exemption or the normal tax system of credits and bands - whichever is more beneficial.
Revenue has reviewed the record of the person concerned and can confirm the age exemption presently in place is the optimal tax treatment available to the person concerned in 2026.
Revenue has informed me that it will contact the person concerned in the coming days to clarify any further queries he may have concerning income tax deductions for this year or previous years.
