asked the Minister for Finance the total number of people that received refunds of deposit interest retention tax for each of the years from 1989 to 1997; if he will give a yearly breakdown; if these figures tally with other figures available to his Department and the Revenue Commissioners as to the number of people entitled to these refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22400/98]
Other Questions. - Deposit Interest Retention Tax.
A refund of deposit interest retention tax may be made where an individual, or his or her spouse, is either aged 65 or over or is permanently incapacitated and that individual is not liable, or not fully liable, to income tax. In addition, a number of charities claim repayment of DIRT each year. The following is a breakdown of the aggregate number of repayments of DIRT for each of the years since 1988 and the corresponding amount of moneys involved.
|
Year |
Nos. |
Amount |
|
(£m) |
||
|
1988 |
16,628 |
4.4 |
|
1989 |
18,071 |
4.2 |
|
1990 |
20,760 |
4.6 |
|
1991 |
23,618 |
5.7 |
|
1992 |
22,634 |
5.8 |
|
1993 |
22,665 |
6.2 |
|
1994 |
19,714 |
7.8 |
|
1995 |
16,847 |
5.9 |
|
1996 |
16,603 |
6.3 |
|
1997 |
15,257 |
5.4 |
However, a further breakdown of the figures for each of the categories involved is not available.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no reason to believe these figures understate the position. Revenue has no means of identifying persons who may be entitled to repayment of DIRT but who do not claim repayment. They endeavour to notify the public of their entitlements but the taxpayer must apply to the Revenue Commissioners to obtain a refund of DIRT.