Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2021
90. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied with the way in which the obligations for the new valuation period of 2022 to 2025 for the local property tax was communicated to taxpayers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51609/21]
View answer91. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance if additional supports will be made available to older persons who may have had family members avail of the local property tax online options previously and who remain unaware of the obligations for the new valuation period of 2022 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51610/21]
View answer92. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Finance if taxpayers can defer the obligations for the new valuation period of 2022 to 2025 for the local property tax if they were unaware of the notice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51611/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 91 and 92 together.
Local Property Tax (LPT) is a self-assessed tax. As such, for the new ‘valuation period’ of 2022 to 2025, it is a matter for residential property owners themselves to determine the market value of their property as at 1 November 2021, calculate the LPT due and submit an LPT Return to Revenue by 7 November 2021. This is the case regardless of whether a property owner has received a formal notification from Revenue or not.
However, I am advised that Revenue has issued over 1.4 million notices to property owners, setting out what is required to meet Local Property Tax (LPT) obligations for the new ‘valuation period’. This includes approximately 200,000 hard-copy LPT returns to property owners who have not previously availed of the online options and may not be able to avail of, access or use the LPT online services.
In recent weeks, Revenue has commenced a comprehensive LPT media campaign, highlighting the obligations for the new ‘valuation period’ and the assistance available to enable property owners to fulfil their LPT obligations. Revenue spokespeople have taken part in several national and local media interviews and continue to do so. The LPT media campaign will continue over the coming weeks, in the lead up to the 7 November filing date, using both print and digital channels. I am also advised that Revenue has actively engaged with various representative groups to further enhance the public communications campaign.
The Revenue website includes a dedicated page outlining what property owners are required to do for the new ‘valuation period’. When determining the market value of a property for the new ‘valuation period’, property owners can use online sources, such as the Revenue interactive valuation tool, which can be found on the Revenue website. Other online sources include the Residential Property Price Register or property sales websites such as daft.ie and myhome.ie.
Where property owners cannot use these online facilities to value their properties, sources such as the property pages in newspapers (local and/or national) or checking the information displayed in local auctioneer offices can provide useful guidance. Property owners are not required to determine an exact valuation of their property, they are only required to value their properties within a ‘valuation band’. There are 20 valuation bands, the first band is €0 - €200,000, the second band is €200,001 - €262,500 and all other valuation bands are €87,500 wide.
To assist property owners who may be experiencing difficulties meeting their Return filing obligations Revenue is operating an LPT Helpline (01-7383626), which operates from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Property owners who have not received a notice from Revenue, or a hard-copy LPT Return and are unable to file online should contact the Helpline for assistance.
As part of the service the Helpline agents will assist with both the Return filing and payment selection processes. In advance of calling the Helpline, property owners will need to have determined the market value of their property so that the Return can be completed. They should also have their PPSN, Property ID and PIN to hand. The Property ID and PIN numbers can be found on any LPT correspondence previously received from Revenue.
In relation to the deferral of any LPT obligations, the LPT regime includes arrangements whereby a person may opt to defer, or partially defer (50%), payment of the tax in certain circumstances. These circumstances include income level, hardship and personal insolvency. They do not include the circumstances the Deputy has referred to in Question No. 51611/21, i.e. where a person was unaware of their obligations for the new ‘valuation period’. A liable person must make a claim for a payment deferral in writing to Revenue setting out his or her personal circumstances. Comprehensive information on the deferral arrangements are set out on the Revenue website.
