Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
150. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have written to each local authority in the State requesting the rate they intend to charge for the local property tax in 2015 if they decide to vary the rate as per statute in their area; if he will provide a sample letter; the timeline envisioned in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16581/14]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to section 20 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) which allows elected members of a local authority to pass a formal resolution to vary the basic rate of Local Property Tax (LPT) in respect of residential properties situated within their functional area. The basic LPT rate can be increased or decreased by up to 15%. This is referred to as the local adjustment factor (LAF) and the earliest year that this can apply is 2015.
Local authorities are required under section 21 of the 2012 Act to notify Revenue on or before 30 September 2014 if they wish to vary the LPT rate that will apply in 2015. This statutory deadline is to ensure that all the necessary administrative arrangements can be put in place for the payment of LPT at the appropriate rate in 2015 and most importantly, that property owners are given adequate notice of their LPT liability for 2015 to enable them to select their preferred payment method in good time for the filing date.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as part of their customer service and information campaign they have already commenced engagement with local authorities in relation to the LAF. At the end of March, the Commissioners wrote to City and County Managers, outlining details of sections 20 and 21 of the 2012 Act and drew their attention to the 30 September deadline for notifying Revenue of any adjustments to the LPT rate for 2015.
The Commissioners have provided a sample copy of the letter for the Deputy's information.
