Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
142. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Finance in view of the increase in commercial water charges next year when Irish Water add VAT to the bills, his plans to ensure that small and struggling businesses avoid this increase. [38443/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, work is underway on the overall structure of Irish Water, its financial model and the treatment of its function for taxation. The outcome of this work will determine the VAT treatment of water charges. I would draw to the Deputy’s attention that in the case where VAT is applied to the charge for water supplied to VAT registered businesses, those businesses would be entitled, under the normal VAT rules, to claim that VAT back. In such case, the imposition of VAT would not impact on small and struggling businesses.
