Vol. 536 No. 3
174 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Finance if a person in receipt of retirement pensions may gainfully engage in employment for ten hours per week without affecting their allowances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14293/01]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a married couple on joint assessment for tax purposes, with one spouse aged 65 or over, is entitled to exemption from income tax for the current tax year 2001, which runs from 6 April 2001 to 31 December 2001, where the combined income of both spouses from all sources does not exceed £12,580.
The particulars given in the question indicate that the individual concerned is in receipt of a retirement pension of £174.20 per week. This equates with the old age contributory pension payable by the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs to an individual aged between 66 and 79 with an adult dependent aged under 66. On this basis, the individual and his spouse will qualify for exemption from income tax if their combined income from all sources does not exceed £12,580 in the year 2001.
Based on the particulars provided, the couple's projected income for the year 2001 is as follows:
|
£ |
||
|
OAP |
6,619.60 |
(£174.20 x 38 weeks) |
|
Employment pension |
2,219.85 |
(£246.65 x 9 months) |
|
Total Income |
8,839.45 |
|
£ |
||
|
OAP |
6,619.60 |
|
|
Employment pension |
2,219.85 |
|
|
Spouse's proposed employment |
2,394.00 |
(£6.30 x 10 x 38 Weeks) |
|
Total Income |
11,233.45 |
