asked the Minister for Finance the number of farms classified for purposes of the Farm Tax Act, 1985, at the latest date for which figures are available; the proportion of land holdings that are likely to have been classified by 1 September; when the Farm Tax Commissioner will be obliged to forward a list of classified holdings to the local authorities; if he is satisfied at the rate of classification of holdings; when it is expected that the first payments will be made under the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Farm Holdings Classification.
23.
By end-May 1986 the Farm Classification Office had determined the adjusted acreage of 2,340 farm holdings. It is estimated that a total of 2,900 holdings will have been assessed by 1 September 1986. This figure represents about 3 per cent of the estimated 92,801 holdings over 20 adjusted acres which fall to be assessed under the Farm Tax Act, 1985. In acreage terms this amounts to 883,585 statute acres, or about 10 per cent of the estimated total of 9 million statute acres to be assessed.
Under section 4 (5) of the Farm Tax Act, 1985, the Farm Tax Commissioner is required to issue the first classification list to local authorities as soon as may be after 1 September but no later than 30 September 1986.
I am satisfied that every effort is being made to achieve the maximum output possible, bearing in mind the need for accuracy and comparability of evaluation and the legal requirements of the Farm Tax Act.
Allowing for the formulation, publication and display of the Farm Tax Record and issue of demand notes, the first payments of farm tax would in general become due around end-October, from which time those liable have two months to pay before penal interest accrues on the outstanding amount.