The Government’s new Commission on Taxation and Welfare will examine the possibility of moving to a more European-style social insurance model where unemployment benefits are linked to previous PRSI contributions. This would see those who have been in long-term employment being entitled to a higher payment than the standard jobseeker’s allowance. The commission will also examine the merits of a site value tax in achieving the State’s housing policy objectives. The current property tax only applies to residential property, but a site value tax would draw in non-residential or business premises, potentially as a replacement for the current system of rates paid by businesses. Ageing populationThe previous commission on taxation, which published its report in 2009, advocated the introduction of a local property tax and carbon tax, both of which were adopted.

Source: The Irish Times June 04, 2021 04:21 UTC