I propose to take Questions Nos. 213, 233, 237 and 243 together.
As the Deputies are aware, on Budget Day, I announced a €500 Rent Tax Credit which it is proposed will be claimable in respect of rent paid in 2022 and subsequent years to end-2025.
The intention is that, in order for a person to be in a position to claim the credit in a year :
- the rent paid must be in respect of the person’s principal private residence,
- the person living in the rented property themselves, or their spouse/civil partner, must have paid the rent and sufficient tax to avail of the credit,
- the tenancy must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) but only where this is already a legal requirement.
Tenants in the rent-a-room scheme and in student accommodation will also be able to claim the tax credit, subject to compliance with bullet points one and two above.
In response to Deputy Nash's question, and as stated in my Budget address, the rent tax credit is aimed at those who do not get any other State housing supports. It is not intended, therefore, that tenants of local authorities, tenants in receipt of the Housing Assistance Payment, tenants who are supported by the Rental Accommodation Scheme or who are renting from Approved Housing Bodies will be entitled to claim the relief.
A number of the above conditions applied in the past in respect of the previous “Allowance for Rent paid” measure.
Qualification/compliance requirements are continuing to be worked through at present and the aim is to have them finalised in the coming days in the context of the preparation of the Finance Bill.