20/01/2012

Labour Calls For Tax Changes For Exiles

A Labour TD has called for changes to the way Ireland's tax exiles are charged on the value of their homes.

Labour TD Robert Dowds said there must be the introduction of a progressive property tax, which would be based on the value and size of a house.

"The property tax must be fair, and those with the largest and more valuable houses must pay more. If supported by a reliable valuation system, and with exemptions for those on the lowest incomes, a property tax is actually one of the fairest forms of funding social services, such as roads and local government.

"To date there are many high profile tax exiles who have avoided making any revenue contribution to the state, at least through this progressive tax some revenue could be extracted."

Mr Dowds said the group of so-called 'socialists' who are opposing a property tax were actually opposing a tax which millionaires cannot escape through clever accounting.

"This group must be the only socialists in the world who are opposed to a property tax, and they should be ashamed of themselves for their regressive, millionaire-supporting campaign which is only being cheered on by the caviar class."

(DW/GK)

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