Sir, – Chairwoman of the Revenue Commissioners Josephine Feehily and the politicians, must think we are all idiots.
People aren’t confused by the choice of payment options for the property tax. In fact, that is one of few things that is admirable in the whole process. What people are not happy about is being forced to pay 18 months’ tax in the one year, or being forced to pay a 2014 tax in 2013.
Only a tax officer would compare paying tax in advance to buying concert or holiday tickets. As the retailers are pointing out, it’s going to reduce the amount of money flowing around the national economy. The letters didn’t help either. They managed to print the amount due to be paid in small typeface, on the fold of the letter.
I spent over an hour on the phone to the Revenue Commissioners the other day, trying to sort out the payment arrangements for my elderly parents and my wife’s elderly aunt and uncle. Oh well, at least all those rich Fine Gael supporters, buying those lovely houses advertised in the property supplement, won’t have to pay any property tax for the next three years. – Yours, etc,
MARK CROWTHER,
Brian Avenue,
Marino,
Dublin 3.
Sir, – Our highly paid legislators have made a “drop off” in the local property tax legislation, but, we are told, there will be “no material impact” on the overall tax take for 2014. Apparently, the mistake means that all owner-occupier property buyers in 2013 – and not just first time buyers – are entitled to an exemption from the property tax for the next three years, and around €3 million is expected to be refunded to thousands of households.
Does this mean that if my tax assessment for 2013 is less than €3 million – below the threshold for “material impact” – I can expect a letter from the Revenue Commissioners advising me that I may “qualify for an exemption”? I can hardly wait!
Needless to say, I am sure that the mistake will have no “material impact” on those responsible. – Yours, etc,
Dr ERIC FIRTH,
Truce Road,
Ballymore Eustace,
Co Kildare.