Property tax rate decision due in autumn

Homeowners in Longford will have to wait until autumn for the County Council to decide if it will lower or raise the Local Property Tax in 2015.


Local authorities have the power to raise or lower the property tax in their jurisdictions by up to 15 per cent, although any reduction could mean having to cut costs elsewhere in the annual budget in order to balance the books.

The Revenue Commissioners last week gave all local authorities until September 30 to inform them it or not they intend to adjust the tax rate in their areas. This deadline is necessary so Revenue can provide homeowners with advance notice on the tax bill they can expect to pay next year.

“This will be dealt with as part of the budget process for 2015,” a Longford County Council spokesperson told this newspaper.

“Any decision to vary the rate of Local Property Tax will ultimately be a matter for the elected members.”

A decision to reduce the property tax by the maximum possible rate of 15 per cent could mean a saving of approximately €100 for the average household.

Under the Finance (Local Property) Tax 2012, local authorities are legally required to notify the Revenue Commissioners of any resolution which is passed regarding an adjustment to the tax.