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11th Mar 2018

Here’s how to find out whether you’re one of the “tens of thousands” to pay Local Property Tax this year

Kate Demolder

Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy is intent on making those exempt from levies pay for the first time.

Tens of thousands of homeowners could be in line to pay the Local Property Tax (LPT) for the first time.

LPT is a self-assessed tax charged on the market value of residential properties in the State. Liable persons must pay their LPT liabilities on an annual basis.

According to the Sunday Independent, up to 60,000 households have since been exempt from paying the tax levy since its introduction five years ago.

It is believed Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy intends on making those previously exempt pay in order to avoid raising LPT prices for those already paying.

The tax, which was introduced in 2013, allowed for properties purchased that same year to be exempt from the tax until the end of 2019 if it is used as a sole or main residence.

However, if that such property is subsequently sold or ceases to be used as a main residence, the exemption no longer applies.

As well as this, both new and previously unused properties purchased from a builder or developer between the period of January 2013 – October 2019 are also exempt from LPT until the end of 2019.

A property is liable for LPT if it was a residential property on the valuation date of 1 May 2013. You are liable to pay LPT if you are the owner of a liable property on the liability dates. Commercial properties are generally not liable to LPT.

Each property will have a unique property identification number (ID) for LPT purposes.

Residential properties constructed and owned by a builder or developer, that remain unsold and have not yet been used as dwellings, are also exempt.

The changes come after the Government announced a new review of the tax in January.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe spoke about the review back in January.

“Even though it would be 2020 before LPT liabilities would be affected by any property revaluations, it is important that the Government is able to make its position clear in relation to LPT in a timely way so that households will be aware of its plans for the tax in advance of the November 2019 revaluation date and the associated 2020 and beyond LPT liabilities.”

LPT prices at the moment are based on valuations made in 2013 and some vary hugely depending on location of the building. Charges can range from around €100 – €500.

To find out if you’re still eligible for the levy, or if not, you can do so by checking out Revenue’s website here.

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