Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 September 2016
74. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the position in relation to the public consultation exercise undertaken in 2015 by his Department on the tax treatment of expenses of travel and subsistence for employees and office holders; his plans to introduce any changes to legislation governing the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27821/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials and their Revenue colleagues examined the responses received to this consultation exercise and one particular issue raised by a large proportion of the respondents was that of the non-resident non-executive director whose expenses were taxable. I was given to understand that this created considerable problems for the FDI community, out of proportion to the financial aspects of the matter. Therefore I was satisfied that, while being cognisant of the longstanding principles governing the taxation of expenses of travel, it was appropriate to make an exception in this case and I introduced the relevant change via Finance Act 2015. This Act also included a change to exempt certain expenses of State Examinations Commission examiner staff from taxation.
Following further review of the submissions other legislative changes were not identified as immediately necessary. However I note that a number of new submissions on the tax treatment of expenses have now been received and these are being examined by my officials in the context of the current Budget and Finance Bill process.
