I propose to take Questions Nos. 370 and 371 together.
Rental income from the leasing of agricultural land is exempt from income tax under Section 664 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (1997). I am advised by Revenue that the total tax relief, the average tax relief, and the average overall tax liability of taxpayer units claiming this relief in the years 2017 to 2019 (the latest year for which full analysed data are currently available) is as set out in the table below. The overall tax liability is the aggregate tax liability of the taxpayer units concerned, taking account of all income sources and any credits or reliefs claimed, including the exemption for income arising from the leasing of farmland.
-
|
Number of Taxpayer Units
|
Total tax relief €m
|
Average tax relief €
|
Average overall tax liability €
|
2017
|
9,230
|
24
|
2,600
|
9,200
|
2018
|
10,210
|
27
|
2,700
|
9,000
|
2019
|
11,150
|
31
|
2,800
|
9,500
|
As the Deputy will be aware, Consanguinity Relief from Stamp Duty is provided for under Schedule (1)5 of the Stamp Duties Consolidation Act Consolidation Act 1999. The table below provides the Exchequer cost and numbers availing of consanguinity relief for the years 2017 to 2020 (the latest year for which the data is available).
-
|
Number of Taxpayers
|
Exchequer Cost €m
|
Average amount claimed €
|
2017
|
1,018
|
3.8
|
3,733
|
2018
|
1,647
|
22
|
13,358
|
2019
|
1,780
|
29
|
16,292
|
2020
|
2,182
|
51
|
23,373
|
I am further informed by Revenue that there were approximately 90 taxpayer units who declared exempt income from the leasing of agricultural land and who also claimed consanguinity relief during 2019, the only year for which fully analysed data are currently available. Based on the available data, it is not possible to determine if these claims relate to the same land.