John McGuinness
Question:211 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny is unable to claim tax relief for his son who is in full-time education in UCD and is 21 years of age. [6082/99]
Written Answers. - Tax Reliefs.
Following the introduction of free fees for full-time undergraduate students in publicly funded colleges, the 1995 Finance Act – now section 474 of the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act – provided tax relief, at the standard rate, for the fees of full-time undergraduate students attending private third level colleges in the State provided the course is of at least two years duration. The Mini ster for Education and Science approves the colleges and courses.
The 1996 Finance Act – now Section 475 of the 1997 Taxes Consolidation Act – provided for tax relief, at the standard rate, for the tuition fees of the part-time undergraduate students attending approved courses of not less than two years duration in private or publicly funded third level colleges in the State. Again, the Minister for Education and Science approves the colleges and the courses.
The maximum amount of fees allowable for tax relief under Section 474 and 475 is £2,500 per annum and the reliefs are at the standard rate. Tax relief is not available for the maintenance cost of students or for the fees of postgraduate students.