Denis Naughten
Question:54 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether taxpayers should receive interest on overpayments of tax along with the refund of tax. [25608/02]
Vol. 559 No. 1
54 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether taxpayers should receive interest on overpayments of tax along with the refund of tax. [25608/02]
80 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the progress made to date in his Department's examination of the Ombudsman's recent report in regard to interest payments in respect of tax repaid; and if he will make a statement on the matter [25548/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 80 together.
The issue of interest on overpayments of tax was the subject of a recent report by the Ombudsman. I gave my initial response to this report in a statement I issued on 6 November. I also wrote to the Ombudsman on 6 November indicating that I would study his report carefully. As the Deputies are aware, the Revenue Commissioners have indicated that they were unable to implement certain recommendations of the Ombudsman's report on the basis that they do not have the statutory authority in these cases to pay interest in respect of tax repaid.
My Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, is examining the contents of the report. Indeed, the general issues raised by the Ombudsman are already being actively examined.