Tax Relief Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Questions (320)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

320. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm the details of the tax relief announced in the budget to those providing their own water and wastewater treatment through a private well and waste water treatment unit respectively; the records a claimant will need to keep of expenditure on the well and wastewater treatment unit so that they will be in a position to verify their expenditure to the Revenue Commissioners regarding tax relief claimed; in view of the fact that expenditure on electricity forms a substantial proportion of expenditure as it is necessary to power pumps in the well and treatment unit, the way this cost can be accounted for the Revenue Commissioners taking into account the fact that the bills received from the utility provider are global in nature and do not provide a detailed breakdown of the power used by each piece of equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41618/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

A  number of measures were announced on Budget day to improve the overall affordability of water charges. The objective of these supports is to assist households in the country who pay their Water bills.

Following on from the announcement on Budget day, officials from my Department are working closely with their colleagues in the other relevant Departments and Agencies, in the development of the processes that will be employed to deliver the relief.

As I stated on Budget day and subsequently, we will design the measure as broadly and efficiently as possible, to ensure that the relief reaches all households who pay their charges.

Individuals who have private wells and water treatment units will not be liable to the new water charges and therefore will not be eligible for the tax relief.