asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons paying residential property tax; and the reasons the yield fell far short of the budget estimate last year.
Written Answers. - Residential Property Tax.
263.
The number of persons who, to date, have paid residential property tax is 5,289 in respect of the valuation date of 5 April 1983, and 2,933 in respect of the valuation date of 5 April 1984.
It was difficult originally to estimate the yield from the tax because of the lack of statistics as to house values and family income upon which the tax is dependent. Many taxpayers withheld payment of the tax pending the Supreme Court judgment on the constitutionality of Part VI of the Finance Act, 1983, which relates to the tax. This judgement was delivered on 20 November 1984, and the Revenue Commissioners are now proceeding with the collection of the outstanding amounts.