Tax Code

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Questions (84)

Joanna Tuffy

Question:

84. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of allowing unmarried couples for joint assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57610/12]

View answer

Written answers

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as unmarried cohabiting couples are not separately identified in tax statistics, it is not possible to provide the precise information requested by the Deputy. However, in the event that a formal registration scheme for unmarried cohabiting couples were introduced, it is estimated that the cost of extending married treatment under the income tax code to such couples could be of the order of €1 million per annum for every 1,000 unmarried couples registered.