A massive majority.
A new survey has shown that an overwhelming majority of people feel that both male & female GAA players deserve some sort of tax break or financial grant.
The research showed that 81% of taxpayers believe that the Government should bring in some form of financial incentive.
Taxback.com conducted the survey, in which they asked 1,200 people across the country whether or not they felt inter-county GAA players deserved a tax credit for their efforts.
Another interesting figure that emerged from the survey was that 74% of people believed that the tax credit should be extended to both male and female inter-county GAA players, which leaves only 7% of people believing it should be a male only incentive.
The biggest variation in views emerged when it came to the possible value of a proposed Credit with 25% saying it should fall somewhere between €1000 – €2,500, whereas 19% said it should be worth between €2,500 – €5,000.
Former inter-county stars Adrian Morrissey (Wexford) and Mark Davoren (Dublin) believe a tax credit would make a real difference for inter-county players.
“Having been an inter-county player for almost 10 years, I know that the sheer time commitment that these players give is massive – and this appears to increase with every passing season,” says Adrian Morrissey, “There is a lot of sacrifice involved – whether its family or work. That’s why a gesture of a tax break for a player is, in my mind, a no-brainer. It would be some recognition of the commitment the players give to a cause that is bigger than themselves.”
Mark Davoren made the point that a similar situation already exists in some sports people within Ireland, saying: “Rugby players are entitled to a tax refund when they retire. This can amount to a fairly big sum, particularly for the top guys. If there are tax incentives for other sports people in Ireland, I don’t think there’s any reason why GAA players shouldn’t be entitled to a Tax Credit. When you reach the top of your sport and you’re playing for your county in front of 80,000 people in Croke Park and hundreds of thousands on TV, I believe you have earned it.”
