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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Local property tax confusion

Summary

Deputy Murnane O'Connor raised confusion among homeowners about property revaluation letters, valuation tools and the helpline for local property tax. The Minister explained the legislative changes, said the revaluation period is under way, and argued that most households will not face an increase.

I raise the confusion arising from Revenue sending letters to homeowners about the changes to the local property tax, including the need to reassess their homes. I know homeowners have to value their properties in order for Revenue to set a new rate for the next four years, but they are being sent to revenue.ie, where a residential property price register is available. It is not working. There is huge confusion. Many people have come into my offices. There is confusion over the prices and confusion if one has a standalone home. To make it worse, there is only one helpline from Monday to Friday, for older people who do not go online to use the services. There is huge confusion here. Can we get the communication sorted? The last time local property tax forms were given out, there was a barcode at the bottom of it and one went into the Post Office and could pay whatever one could off it or pay in full. There is no barcode on it this time. I rang the helpline and they have been very kind and good to people. One can pay in the Post Office. None of this is on the form. Can we please get better communication?

Comment on this

What Revenue is involved in concerns legislation we passed before the recess on the review of the local property tax. One of the reasons for that is to ensure all those properties built since it was brought in are brought into the net, to fund local government. I know the Deputy supports that, in particular. Now is the revaluation period, when we ask people to submit what they believe is a true valuation of their property, within bands. We have widened the bands and decreased the rate. Most people will not see any increase in their local property tax, which funds local government to the tune of more than half a billion euro per year, which is very important. If anyone has any issues with the tracker online, which I have checked, I will raise the matter with the Department of Finance.

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