Vol. 487 No. 6
178 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Finance if his Department will review the application of a person (details supplied) with a view to a waiver or reduction in tax as the couple have separated, the wife has left the home and lives in a mobile home and, due to the complications of the case, the property will not be sold for years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5015/98]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a properly completed self-assessed inheritance tax return in respect of the benefit taken by the person in question has not to date been delivered to them. It is not possible therefore to comment on the tax liability, if any, arising in this case at this stage. However, the Commissioners have informed me that while the Capital Acquisitions Tax Act, 1976, does not allow for the waiver or reduction of tax due, provision does exist for flexible methods of payment and for the postponement of payment of tax in certain circumstances including hardships cases.
The Commissioners have informed me that if payment of any tax due in this case would cause excessive hardship for the beneficiary, they will consider the matter sympathetically. In this context the beneficiary or the agent acting on the beneficiary's behalf, should outline the grounds on which such hardship is being claimed together with supporting information regarding the personal and financial circumstances of the person in question when they are submitting the tax return.
