Charlie McConalogue
Question:76. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance his view on the rate of registration to date for the local property tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23927/13]
View answerTuesday, 21 May 2013
Questions (76)
Written answers
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Local Property Tax (LPT) Returns, personalised letters and an LPT Guide have issued to owners of 1.66 million residential properties either by post or by way of their ROS (Revenue On-line Service) inbox. The Commissioners have confirmed that in excess of 948,522 LPT Returns have been filed up to close of business on 20th May 2013. This represents 57% of the total Returns issued. Of the Returns received, 657,157 we re filed electronically and 291,365 were paper Returns.
With the 28 May on-line filing deadline approaching, I take this opportunity to outline the options available to residential property owners. Depending on the owner’s requirements, one of the following options will address their particular needs. Property owners can login to LPT on-line at www.revenue.ie themselves using their PIN and the Property ID that was provided to them as part of the general issue of LPT Returns earlier this year. For property owners for whom e-filing is not practical, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the legislation provides that another person may file an LPT Return on-line on their behalf. Alternatively, they can visit their local Revenue office where computers and assistance to file on-line will be available. Owners may also contact the LPT helpline on 1890 200 255 (mobile phone users can contact the helpline on 01 702 3049) to file a Return on-line. To avail of this option, the caller needs their property details, PPSN and details of the bank account or other source from which they wish the payment to be deducted.
I have indicated to the House on a number of occasions, most recently in my reply to Questions 20686 and 20652 (numbers 92 and 87 of 1 May), that owners who have not received a return from Revenue must still self-assess the amount of LPT due, complete and file their LPT Return and pay the tax due. They should contact the LPT helpline on 1890 200 255 or they can login to LPT on-line and file a return by clicking on the "I have not received a Property PIN" tab.
I am also advised that the LPT helpline, and Revenue’s offices, have been operating extended opening hours this week and will do so until Tuesday 28 May. Details of the extended hours are available from the Revenue website www.revenue.ie .
Given the range of options that have been made available by Revenue to assist people experiencing any type of difficulty in meeting their LPT obligations and, the fact that owners of residential properties have already filed in excess of 948,522 Returns, I am very satisfied with the current arrangements that Revenue has in place and with the rate of filing.