asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that previous to the establishment of Saorstát Eireann, income taxpayers in Ireland were entitled to certain relief in respect of a similar tax paid by them in the Dominions; and whether it is intended to continue such, or substitute other, relief as between Saorstát Eireann and the Dominions?
CEISTEANNA-QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - INCOME TAXPAYERS IN SAORSTAT AND THE DOMINIONS.
I am aware that a measure of relief from the Income Tax of the late United Kingdom was granted in respect of Income Tax paid in any of the Overseas Dominions on the same source of income. This relief was granted irrespective of any reciprocal treatment on the part of the Overseas Dominions. It is obvious that the Saorstát could not continue to grant relief on this basis, and for 1923-24 and subsequent years the Saorstát grants double Income Tax relief in respect of British Income Tax, but not in respect of Dominion or Colonial Income Tax.
The granting of relief in respect of Dominion Income Tax would involve effecting a reciprocal arrangement with each of the Overseas Dominions separately, and, as at present advised, I do not consider it either necessary or desirable to endeavour to effect such arrangements.
Is the Minister aware this inflicts a great deal of hardship on some individuals who have property in Australia and South Africa? Will he not reconsider the desirability of dealing with the various Dominions on a reciprocal basis?
I am always open to reconsider the matter on fresh information being available, but it affects very few people, and there are few, if any, cases in which a change could not be made from the Dominion investments to other investments without great loss.
It is not only a case of investments, is the Minister aware, but also landed property, and so on, in Australia which a certain number of people possess.