asked the Minister for Finance in respect of the tax years 1986-87 and 1987-88 the number of taxpayers in each income tax band; and the amounts of tax realised under each band.
Written Answers. - Income Tax Bands.
The number of persons effectively liable to income tax in respect of the years 1986-87 and 1987-88 is estimated as follows:
Year |
Number |
1986-87 |
966,000 (provisional) |
1987-88 |
962,000 (provisional) |
In about 132,000 cases for each of the years 1986-87 and 1987-88 couples have elected or have been deemed to have elected to have the income of both spouses assessed on the husband giving totals of 834,000 and 830,000 taxpaying units respectively. The breakdown of the numbers of taxpaying units by marginal tax rate bands is estimated as follows:
Numbers of taxpaying units
1986-87 |
1987-88 |
|||
Marginal Rate band |
Number |
Percentage of total |
Number |
Percentage of total |
% |
000's |
% |
000's |
% |
Exemption limits — 60% rate for marginal relief |
32.5 |
3.9 |
32 |
3.9 |
35 |
454 |
54.5 |
422 |
50.8 |
48 |
192 |
23.0 |
197 |
23.7 |
58 |
155.5 |
18.6 |
179 |
21.6 |
Totals |
834 |
100 |
830 |
100 |
As regards the amounts of tax realised from each band, the latest relevant statistics showing the yield by range of taxable income were provided for 1985-86 on 14 October 1987 in my reply to a parliamentary question tabled by the Deputy for answer at that time (Official Report, Volume 374, No. 1 Columns 83-88).