Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
329. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the deadlines by which qualifying expenditure must be submitted to the Revenue Commissioners using the mobile app under the stay and spend initiative for a tax credit to be received by a person in 2021 and 2022, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20410/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the company awarded the public contract to develop the mobile app for the purposes of the stay and spend initiative; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20411/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 330 together.
I am advised by Revenue that qualifying expenditure in relation to the Stay and Spend tax credit will be submitted to Revenue using the RevApp. This information will then be used to prepopulate the individual’s tax return to facilitate a claim being made for this tax credit. All claims must be made within 4 years after the year in which the qualifying expenditure was incurred.
The RevApp, which was launched in 2016, is a free mobile app, provided by Revenue to assist taxpayers to record and keep track of receipts for expenses. For example, it can be used to track health expenses and expenses relating to trading or rental income, and it can also be used for other documents. Storing the receipts on the RevApp negates the requirement for taxpayers to keep paper copies of such receipts.
Revenue is currently in the process of redeveloping the RevApp and upgrading its technology. This work, which is estimated to cost €72,000, commenced earlier this year. The work is being undertaken internally by Revenue’s Information Technology Division and, thus, was not subject to a public procurement process. The development of an interface specifically for the Stay and Spend initiative will be a minor enhancement to work already in progress.
For the 2020 tax year, the Stay and Spend tax credit will be determined by reference to the qualifying expenditure incurred between 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020. For the 2021 tax year, the period during which qualifying expenditure may be incurred is 1 January 2021 to 30 April 2021. Under the measure the maximum tax credit available in respect of 2020 and 2021 is €125 per claimant, and €250 in the case of jointly assessed couples.
Finally, I am advised by Revenue that they will issue detailed guidance material on this measure in the coming weeks.
