Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
213. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Finance if a response will issue to a query raised by person (details supplied) in respect of the rent tax credit that was announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48396/22]
View answer233. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance if the €500 tax credit for renters as announced in Budget 2023 will be available to those who are renting a room from a person who is letting out accommodation from the rent a room scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48514/22]
View answer237. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Finance the qualifying criteria for the rent tax credit; if tenants in approved housing bodies, local authorities and cost-rental developments respectively will be eligible; and if not, the reasoning for that exclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48534/22]
View answer243. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the arrangements that have been made for those renting a room in the landlord's property in cases in which there is no obligation for the property owner to register with the Residential Tenancies Board to ensure that they can avail of the newly introduced rental tax credit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48588/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 233, 237 and 243 together.
As the Deputies are aware, on Budget Day, I announced a €500 Rent Tax Credit which it is proposed will be claimable in respect of rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
The intention is that, in order for a person to be in a position to claim the credit in a year :
- the rent paid must be in respect of the person’s principal private residence,
- the person living in the rented property themselves, or their spouse/civil partner, must have paid the rent and sufficient tax to avail of the credit,
- the tenancy must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) but only where this is already a legal requirement.
Tenants in the rent-a-room scheme and in student accommodation will also be able to claim the tax credit, subject to compliance with bullet points one and two above.
In response to Deputy Nash's question, and as stated in my Budget address, the rent tax credit is aimed at those who do not get any other State housing supports. It is not intended, therefore, that tenants of local authorities, tenants in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment, tenants who are supported by the Rental Accommodation Scheme or who are renting from Approved Housing Bodies will be entitled to claim the relief.
A number of the above conditions applied in the past in respect of the previous “Allowance for Rent paid” measure.
Qualification/compliance requirements are continuing to be worked through at present and the aim is to have them finalised in the coming days in the context of the preparation of the Finance Bill.
