Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 November 2014
71. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance his views on exemptions from the property tax for full-time mature students with a mortgage whose only means of income are social welfare payments until such time as they finish college and return to the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42691/14]
View answerThe Government decided that a liability to the Local Property Tax (LPT) should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions. Limiting the exemptions available allows the rate to be kept low for those liable persons who do not qualify for an exemption.
There is no specific exemption from LPT for full-time mature students with a mortgage whose only means of income is social welfare payments nor do I have any plans to introduce such an exemption. Such persons may be entitled to an exemption on other grounds or may qualify for a deferral subject to meeting the qualifying conditions.
To qualify for a deferral the property must be the sole or main residence of the liable person and his or her gross income must be below certain thresholds. The thresholds are €15,000 for a single person and €25,000 for a married couple, civil partners or cohabiting couple. Deferral in respect of half of the LPT payable is possible where the gross income is above the threshold but less than €25,000 in the case of a single person and €35,000 in the case of a couple. Deferred LPT and interest will have to be discharged on the sale/transfer of the property.
Owner/occupiers whose sole source of income is a social welfare payment should qualify for a deferral.
