Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 1

Written Answers. - Residential Property Tax.

Michael McDowell

Ceist:

48 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that families in identical circumstances can pay vastly different amounts in residential property tax by transferring legal ownership of property between family members; his views on whether separation of ownership of houses between spouses is encouraged by the current residential property tax system; whether there is a disincentive to joint ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20321/96]

Minister for Finance (Mr. Quinn)

In general, it makes no difference to the RPT liability whether a family residence is jointly owned by both spouses or is in the sole ownership of one spouse. I am informed that there are, however, a limited number of circumstances where separate or sole ownership of family property can give a more favourable RPT result than if the property in question were jointly owned. This arises where there is more than one residential property owned and occupied by the family and in certain cases where the reliefs for elderly occupants apply.

However, it has to be borne in mind that RPT is only one of many factors to be considered before family members decide to transfer property ownership. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, moreover, that they have no evidence of any large scale transfers of ownership within families solely for purposes of mitigating RPT.