Property tax evaders 'will not see a penny' of their income tax refund

REVENUE HAS BEGUN contacting people to let them know that they will not be paid their income tax rebates until they complete their Local Property Tax returns.

Today, Taxback.com said it has received several advice letters from Revenue to taxpayers informing them of the amount of income tax or PAYE refund they are due. Tax expert Christine Kelly said the letters are advising them that “they won’t see a penny of it” until they complete their property tax return.

More than €175 million has been taken in by Revenue already through the tax with 90 per cent of households on the estimated register compliant with it.
Taxback.com said the letters further demonstrate the lengths that Revenue will go to to ensure compliance.

The tax experts said that if Revenue had simply deducted the tax owed and paid the balance it would be one thing – but here they have withheld far greater amounts.

“In a typical case, a client of ours is due a refund of €3,437.89 – but Revenue will not pay due to ‘outstanding returns’”, Kelly commented. “We’ve seen dozens of these letters since 01 August and expect to see quite a few more.”

She added that this could have implications for further taxes and charges, like the water charges, in the future.

A spokesperson for Revenue told TheJournal.ie that in general, in advance of issuing a refund, a taxpayer’s record will be reviewed to ensure that no outstanding liability exists and where a liability exists an offset will be made before the refund will issue.

“Local Property Tax will be treated the same as any other tax for offset purposes An offset will not apply where a phased payment method is in place and being honoured.

Read: Property tax to be taken from salaries of 50,000 homeowners>

Revenue: 9 out of 10 comply with property tax with €175 million raised so far >