Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
160. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated overall cost or gain of decreasing the research and development credit to 15% and 20%, respectively, generally but increasing it to 30% for SMEs. [21610/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the estimated cost of increasing the research and development credit for SMEs to 30%. [21611/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
I am advised by Revenue that statistical information in respect of the Research & Development credit is available at link www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/index.aspx for all years up to 2017.
Information on likely future expenditure on research and development is not available. However, based on information included in the 2017 Corporation Tax returns in respect of research & development claims and associated refundable credits for SMEs (defined here as companies with less than 250 employees), the estimated cost of increasing the credit to 30% is in the region of €32 million.
On the same basis, the estimated gain from increasing the rate to 30% for SMEs and decreasing the rate to 20% for other companies is in the region of €26 million. The estimated gain from increasing the rate to 30% for SMEs and decreasing the rate to 15% for other companies is in the region of €84 million.
A review of the research and development tax credit is being undertaken by my Department in 2019. This review will examine the interaction of SMEs with the credit as part of its scope.
