asked the Minister for Finance the reason a refund of income tax due to a person (details supplied) in County Meath, which has been raised with the relevant PAYE office on numerous occasions, has not yet been attended to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meath Income Tax Refund Application.
5.
The delay in making the repayment was caused by difficulties in establishing the taxpayer's income for the year 1979-80. The taxpayer held two different employments in the course of the year and was self-employed for part of that year. The inspector of taxes asked the taxpayer to submit details of his earnings for the year but he failed to supply the necessary figures. Eventually, the figures became available to the inspector on 16 January 1981 and the taxpayer's liability for the years 1978-79 and 1979-80 was then reviewed. Particulars of the review were sent to the taxpayer on 3 February 1981 and a cheque in settlement of the refund due to him has now been issued.
Would the Minister not agree that it is ridiculous that a taxpayer should be asked on numerous occasions to produce the same documents? Is it not also ridiculous that the mere fact that he was employed by two different employers and was for a short period self-employed should be given as a reason for holding up the substantial sums due to him for a considerable time? This is a man who has a very low income. Would the Minister try to arrange that the income tax authorities have sufficient staff to deal with such matters? Obviously this is the reason these cases are not being dealt with in time.
That is not the full reason. I have given the Deputy full details of what actually happened in this case. However, I will pass on the Deputy's comments to the Revenue Commissioners.
I have already passed them on.
Obviously with reasonably good effect.
With good effect eventually.