Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2016
163. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance to review the changes made to the employment status of home tutors, which gave them pay-as-you-earn status in his Department; his views on the consequences of this move on their ability to claim tax relief on materials necessary for their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4066/16]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the context of an audit over the last few years, it was determined by Revenue that the home tutors referred to by the Deputy are employed under a contract of service i.e. they are employees. They are engaged by the parent(s) subject to satisfying criteria specified by the Department of Education and Skills. Prior to September 2015, the home tutors were paid by the parent(s) from grants paid to them by the Department of Education and Skills.
As a consequence of the Revenue audit, the Department of Education and Skills agreed to operate the PAYE system on payments to the home tutors. This facilitates ease of administration, as the payments originate from the Department, and also avoids placing the obligation to register as employer, and administer the PAYE system, on each individual parent.
With regard to the tax treatment of expenses incurred by home tutors, such expenses are governed by section 114 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. That section provides that a tax deduction may be given where a tutor is necessarily obliged to incur travel expenses in the performance of the duties of employment or otherwise incurs expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of employment.
