Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2008
165 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance the measures he will put in place to ensure that all betting transactions originating here, including those carried out by telephone or by Internet, are within the remit of the betting tax, in order to ensure that there is a level playing field for small independent bookmakers who rely heavily on in-shop transactions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40650/08]
View answerBetting duty is payable by the bookmaker. If a bookmaker were to establish an on-line betting operation within the State, the bookmaker would be liable to pay betting duty. In general, however, the charge to pay duty does not apply to on-line betting because virtually all providers of such a service are based outside the State. A similar scenario occurs in the case of bets carried out by telephone. This is not unusual since these types of operations tend to locate in jurisdictions that have extremely low levels of taxation.
166 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt occupational pensions from the 1% levy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40655/08]
View answerThe position is that the income levy will be payable on gross income, including occupational pensions. It is intended, however, to provide a threshold which will exempt those on low incomes, social welfare payments and contributory and non-contributory State pensions will be exempt.
Full details regarding provisions in relation to the collection, recovery, inspection of records, and other provisions required, will be set out in the forthcoming Finance Bill.
