Reintroduction of Property taxes i.e. rates

[odie1kanobe]

Given the chronic underfunding of Local Government is there now an opportunity that the whole area of Local Authority financing gets looked at with the reintroduction of property taxes.

Ireland is one of the few countries in the world without them.

The introduction of Property taxes i.e. rates would be followed by a significant cut in tax as LE funding will only come from that.

It would ensure that some of those Independents who persistently bleat about needing more money from Government now have to decide where its going to come from on a local basis.

It would also ensure that owners of Empty Homes have to contribute to the country with Revenue Commissioners having power to disallow payments against tax where property is not being marketed for rental.

[SPN]

Originally Posted by odie1kanobe

Given the chronic underfunding of Local Government is there now an opportunity that the whole area of Local Authority financing gets looked at with the reintroduction of property taxes.

Ireland is one of the few countries in the world without them.

The introduction of Property taxes i.e. rates would be followed by a significant cut in tax as LE funding will only come from that.

It would ensure that some of those Independents who persistently bleat about needing more money from Government now have to decide where its going to come from on a local basis.

It would also ensure that owners of Empty Homes have to contribute to the country with Revenue Commissioners having power to disallow payments against tax where property is not being marketed for rental.

Daft idea!

People on low or fixed incomes cannot afford to pay these types of charges - which would end up funding the vanity projects of senior Council Officials.

Taxes that come from people with big money to spend - VRT, Stamp Duty, Etc - are the way to go. Making a pensioner decide between food, fuel, or jail is not an appropriate way to go.

[odie1kanobe]

Originally Posted by SPN

Daft idea!

People on low or fixed incomes cannot afford to pay these types of charges - which would end up funding the vanity projects of senior Council Officials.

Taxes that come from people with big money to spend - VRT, Stamp Duty, Etc - are the way to go. Making a pensioner decide between food, fuel, or jail is not an appropriate way to go.

Council tax decided by elected councillors not appointed officials.

[SPN]

Originally Posted by odie1kanobe

Council tax decided by elected councillors not appointed officials.

What Country does that?

[odie1kanobe]

UK for one as they decide levels of tax, US for another.

[returning officer]

Fianna Fail abolished residential rates, they have no intention of bringing them back.
Local government can be funded by an assortment of water charges, waste charges and higher Vehicle Tax. The minister for the environment can lead on this and achieve two successes: local government reform and application of polluter/waster pays principle.
The advantage for FF is that he can get the flack from those who would never vote for his party anyway.

[SPN]

Originally Posted by odie1kanobe

UK for one as they decide levels of tax, US for another.

I doubt it.

I would be very surprised if they don't just get handed a budget by the officials and get told to pass it, just like in Ireland.

Although I don't know if other Countries have the law that we have whereby the Manager can sack the Council if they fail to pass his budget.

[John Kalahan]

The biggest problem with local government is waste
Let all works to public tender
Charge 20 times more for planning fees
Bring in bye laws to make property owners cut hedges and trees along public roads
let local authorities buy lands before its zonned and sell it to developers they could make a lot from that.