Updated 8pm

OVER 15,000 PEOPLE have opted to have the property tax deducted from their social welfare payments with some €1 million collected so far this year.

The figures released by Finance Minister Michael Noonan, show that owners of 15, 450 residential properties have chosen this option.

In the vast majority of cases, Noonan said deductions from payments have already commenced and over €1 million has been collected by Revenue to date. It is estimated that some €2.26 million in total will be collected by Revenue in this manner.

The minister revealed in September that issues arose with this payment option whereby some people had selected the wrong social welfare payment type while others were found to be in receipt of a payment type that was not covered for this option.

The property tax can only be deducted from the following payments:

• The State Pension (contributory, non contributory and transition);
• Widow/widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory and Non-Contributory Pensions;
• One Parent Family Payment;
• Invalidity Pension;
• Carer’s Allowance;
• Disability Allowance;
• Blind Pension.

People on unemployment benefits like jobseekers’ allowance cannot choose this payment option.

Noonan said that the Revenue Commissioners have advised that where issues arise, they are addressed on a case by case basis.

“I am further advised that there is an ongoing dialogue between Revenue and the Department of Social Protection, with a view to ensuring that this payment option operates as smoothly as possible,” he said.

Earlier this week the Revenue Commissioners extended the deadline for filing your Local Property Tax deadline online following the “exceptional level” of filing and volume of calls to the helpline.

- First published 8am

Read: Revenue extends deadline for filing property tax returns online until Friday>