asked the Minister for Finance whether he will arrange with the Revenue Commissioners for the collection of arrears of income tax by instalments in cases where it is clear that persons cannot afford to pay the arrears in one payment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Income Tax Arrears.
35.
I understand that the Revenue Commissioners will, exceptionally, in instances where immediate payment in full would impose undue hardship, consider sympathetically proposals for payment by instalments prominimum that the arrears of tax are paid off within a reasonable period.
There is no danger of their going to prison in the mean-while?
What does the Deputy mean by "meanwhile"?
While it is being decided whether or not they will accept payment by instalments? The Minister knows a few people did go to prison for this.
Not while efforts to have payments by instalments accepted were being considered.
Does the Minister not remember an incident a few years ago when the Revenue Commissioners had a garda swoop on these people and had them imprisoned at the weekend?
No, I do not.
Does the Minister not think it would be possible to have some arrangements made whereby this would not be a matter of sympathy but a matter of law, so that people who are in arrears with their income tax could pay it by instalments?
I could not accept that.
For what reason could the Minister not accept that?
Because the whole revenue position of the State could be seriously affected if we were to accept that proposition. Why should anybody pay their taxes if people in arrears could, for no good reason, get special concessions?
While I agree with the Minister that that is so, would it not be possible to have interest paid on the arrears?
We do provide for interest on arrears.