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Tax Reliefs Availability

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (261)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

261. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated savings for the Exchequer in 2013 and in a full year from standardising tax reliefs. [38294/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the deductions and reliefs which are allowable for tax at an individual’s marginal rate of income tax and for which estimates of cost can be provided are set out below together with estimated costs for the year 2009, the most recent year for which the necessary estimates are available. If relief for these deductions and reliefs was confined to the standard rate of income tax the saving to the Exchequer could be of the order of €1,000 million. This estimate does not take into account any possible behavioural change on the part of taxpayers as a consequence of such a change or the economic effect of such a change. This applies in particular to the BES, Film Relief and Capital Allowances regime. The standard rating of employee pension reliefs would also have an impact on workers’ take home pay.

It should be noted that there have been changes since this period, i.e. some schemes have been abolished or modified and others have been introduced. For instance, as the Deputy will be aware, the BES was re-launched as the Employment and Investment Incentive, with changes to the amount of relief payable and types of companies that can qualify.

 Tax Relief Provision

Total 2009 Cost

Saving if Standard

Rated

€m

€m

Person Taking Care of Incapacitated Taxpayer

5.9

2.4

Health Expenses (Nursing Homes)

23.1

6.1

Contributions Under Permanent Health Benefit Schemes, after Deduction of Tax on Benefits Received

3.9

1.6

Employees' Contributions To Approved Superannuation Schemes

729.0

345.2

Retirement Annuity Premiums

237.2

105.6

Personal Retirement Savings Accounts

77.0

26.5

Interest paid relating to borrowings for  purposes such as acquiring an interest in a company or partnership or to pay death duties

26.5

11.6

Expenses Allowable to Employees under Schedule E

73.7

27.4

Retirement Relief for certain Sports Persons.

0.2

0.1

Revenue Job Assist allowance

0.3

0

Allowance for seafarers

0.2

0

Investment in Corporate Trades (BES)

25.6

13.1

Investment in Seed Capital

2.9

1.2

Stock Relief

2.0

0.6

Relief for expenditure on significant buildings and gardens

4.6

2.2

Donation of Heritage items

0.7

0.6

Donation of Heritage  property to the Irish Heritage Trust

0

0

Donations to Approved Bodies (Income Tax only)

51.11

19.8

Donations to Sports Bodies (Income Tax only).

0.6

0.2

Capital Allowances (Income Tax only)

1,004.9

395.9

Rented Residential Relief -Section 23

46.9

24.0

Investment in Films

42.0

25.6

Total

2,358.3

1,009.7

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