Residential property tax in Ireland

Abstract

The Report of the Commission on Taxation 2009 recommends the introduction of an annual property tax on principal private residences while at the same time zero rating stamp duty on the transfer of principal private residences.

The objective of this research is to determine if a combined system of a positive rate of stamp duty and an annual property tax would better achieve the objective of broadening the tax base with an equal degree of fairness and efficiency

A search of the literature was carried out. Interviews with commission members, experts in the area of stamp duty, local taxes and labour mobility were undertaken

The research established that stamp duty is an efficient tax but is not sufficiently broadly based leading to unfairness. The annual property tax recommended by the Commission on Taxation is well constructed and in terms of fairness and efficiency compares favourably with similar taxes used in EU peer countries.

The recommendation is that stamp duty on principal private residence should remain at a positive rate but that the base should be broadened by the removal of exemptions. The rate for principal private residences should be a reduced rate. The annual property tax as recommended should be introduced with some adjustments to the rate to reflect current economic circumstances. Part of the income from the tax should be used to fund local authorities to establish a link between the tax and services provided.