Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 4

Written Answers. - Stamp Duty.

David Stanton

Question:

139 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Finance the rate of stamp duty on intellectual property; the amount collected by way of this stamp duty each year for the past three years; the amount estimated to be collected in 2002; his plans to abolish stamp duty on intellectual property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20884/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

Stamp duty on assignments of intellectual property falls under the heading of non-residential property. The following table outlines the rate of stamp duty payable in such cases.

Value	Rate
Up to €6,350	Nil
€6,351 –€12,700	1%
€12,701 –€19,050	2%
€19,051 –€31,750	3%
€31,751 –€63,500	4%
€63,501 –€76,200	5%
Over €76,200	6%

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they do not classify intellectual property transactionsper se and that, therefore, there is no definitive breakdown of the yield attributable to such property. However, based on a recent manual exercise carried out by the Revenue Commissioners solely in relation to trademarks, copyright and patents and excluding any other type of intangible property, it is estimated that the yield in 2002, from this limited source, will be in the region of €0.2 million.

It should be borne in mind that an exemption for intellectual property could, on the grounds of equity, give rise to calls for exemption for other types of property, the cost of which may have a more significant effect on the yield.

There are no plans at present to abolish stamp duty on intellectual property.