Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 November 2014
16. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Finance in view of the increase in property prices in many parts of the country, his views that capital acquisitions tax thresholds should be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41747/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is the overall title for both Gift and Inheritance Tax. The tax is charged on the amount gifted to, or inherited by, the beneficiary of the gift or inheritance. I assume the Deputy is referring to the "Group thresholds" for CAT.
For the purposes of CAT, the relationship between the person who provides the gift or inheritance (i.e. the disponer) and the person who receives the gift or inheritance (i.e. the beneficiary), determines the maximum life-time tax-free threshold known as the "Group threshold" below which gift or inheritance tax does not arise.
There are, in all, three separate Group thresholds based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the disponer.
The Group A tax free threshold of €225,000, applies where the beneficiary is a child (including adopted child, stepchild and certain foster children) or minor child of a deceased child of the disponer. Parents also fall within this threshold where they take an inheritance of an absolute interest from a child.
The Group B tax free threshold of €30,150, applies where the beneficiary is a brother, sister, a nephew, a niece or lineal ancestor or lineal descendant of the disponer, other than one covered by Group A.
The Group C tax free threshold €15,075, applies in all other cases.
Where a person receives gifts or inheritances in excess of their relevant tax free threshold, CAT at a rate of 33% applies on the excess over the tax free threshold. These thresholds have been reduced in recent years as part of the effort to restore the public finances as taxes on capital are less harmful from an economic perspective than taxes on employment.
The property market continues to improve with positive developments which had been restricted to the Dublin area now manifesting in other areas of the country though not to the same extent in terms of price rises. I recognise, of course, that there are supply issues in certain areas of the Dublin property market.
The Group tax-free thresholds are kept under review, in the same way as other relevant tax provisions, and in this regard I will bear the Deputy's comments in mind for the future.
