Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2014
184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance the reason persons (details supplied) who are paying their property tax by cheque have to pay by 7 January 2015 while persons who pay by direct debit it will not be processed through their accounts until 21 March 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43028/14]
View answerI am assuming that when the Deputy refers to Direct Debit he means Single Debit Authority as Direct Debit normally involves a monthly phased payment arrangement.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have provided a wide range of payment options to assist property owners in paying their 2015 Local Property Tax (LPT) in a manner and at a time that best suits their individual circumstances. This includes paying in full in a single payment or making phased payments over the course of 2015.
Section 119 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) sets out the dates for payment of LPT. Although the strict payment due date for the year 2015 is 1 January 2015, Revenue has extended this deadline to 7 January 2015, to take account of the holiday period.
Any owner who opts to pay their 2015 LPT in full by cheque, postal order, cash, debit card or credit card should make their payment on or before 7 January 2015. Property owners who opt to pay their 2015 LPT by Single Debit Authority should confirm this payment method to Revenue on or before 7 January 2015. The payment, however, will not be deducted from their current account until 21 March 2015. This extended deadline is a concession on Revenue's part. The Deputy will be aware that this was how the Single Debit Authority payment method also operated for 2014 LPT.
Property owners who paid in full with a single payment in 2014 and wish to avail of a phased payment option such as Direct Debit, Deduction at Source or regular cash payments through a Payment Service Provider, should confirm their payment method to Revenue by 25 November 2014. This will allow sufficient time for the request to be put in place for the first pay-period of the New Year.
I am also informed that using the Single Debit Authority facility, which is an electronic cheque, is a safe, cheap and straightforward way to pay LPT and allows the owner to benefit from the extended payment deadline in March 2015. Anyone who has paid by cheque previously but wishes to pay their 2015 LPT by Single Debit Authority can simply do so by completing the mandate for this payment option online, or on the paper Form LPT1A, and should submit it to Revenue before 7 January 2015.
