asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of widowers assessed to income-tax under Schedule E in the current financial year; and whether, having regard to the additional expenditure necessarily incurred by such persons, especially those with dependent children, under the burden of the present abnormal cost of maintenance, particularly with regard to clothing, he will consider amending the income-tax code so as to permit of widowers being assessed as married men, as is already the practice in the application of many other aspects of State policy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Widowers' Income-tax.
Statistics regarding income-tax payers are not compiled in such a form as would enable the information required by the Deputy to be supplied.
Any change in the allowances under the income-tax code would, of course, call for Finance Bill legislation. All relevant matters will be considered in connection with the 1947 Bill, but the Deputy will understand that I cannot indicate at this stage what provisions it may or may not contain.