For budgetary purposes, the Budget is framed on the assumption of a no deal Brexit. This means that the forecasts in the Budget are based on projections of what the economy will look like after a no deal Brexit. A no-deal Brexit is expected to have a significant negative impact on Ireland’s public finances. A Brexit package of €1.2 billion has been announced and €170 million will be spent in 2020 to help prepare for the challenges of Brexit.
There is no changes to Income tax thresholds or rates on income tax standard rate band for all earners, €35,300 for single individuals and €44,300 for married one earner couples.
The exemption limits, tax credits and standard rate bands applicable for the tax year 2020 are set out in detail on the last page.
An increase in the Home Carer Tax Credit from €1,500 to €1,600
An increase in the Earned Income Credit for self-employed from €1,350 to €1,500
No USC changes but reduced rate for medical card holders extended for another year. It is important note that no one earning less than €13,000 pays any USC at all; for those earning above this level, all their income is caught by the charge. Also, like PRSI, it is a straight charge on what you earn and is not affected by whether you are assessed as an individual taxpayer or jointly with a partner.
On the first €12,012
0.5%
On the next €7,862
2%
On the next €50,170
4.50%
On the next €29,956
8%
Balance
11 %
Medical card holders and individuals aged 70 years and older whose aggregate income does not exceed €60,000 will now pay a maximum USC rate of 2%.
Minimum wage rises which will not be introduced until March if there is a no-deal Brexit
The weekly threshold for the higher rate of employer’s PRSI will be €386.
Employers PRSI rate @ 8.70% if income is €386 p/w or less
10.95 % If income is above €376 p/w
The income disregard for the One Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker Transition will increase by €15.Income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will rise by €10 for families of up to three children. A €2 a week rise in the “Qualified Child Increase” for under 12s and a €3 increase for children over 12. There will also be a €5 increase in the living alone allowance from March 2020. The Fuel Allowance increasing by €2 a week to €24.50 a week. The Christmas Bonus – will paid out again at 100% in 2019 – the same as last year
Income tax rebate, capped at €20,000, for first time buyers of a principal private residence. The relief is 5% of the house value (capped at €400,000). Maximum relief (i.e. €20,000) available for homes valued between €400,000 and €500,000. Claimants must take out a mortgage of at least 70% of the purchase price. The scheme only applies to new builds, self builds or a converted building not previously used as a dwelling and not to second hand properties. The scheme will be in place until 31 December 2021.
Carbon Tax Increase the rate by €6 to 26 euro per tonne
Market Value less than €1,000,000 @ 0.18 %
Market Value greater than €1,000,000:
– First €1,000,000 @0.18 %
– Balance0.25 %
Tobacco Products Tax: The excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes is being increased by 50 cents to €13.50. This will also take effect from midnight on 8 October 2019.
The interest deduction on residential property lettings has been restored to 100% from 85%. Therefore, from 1 January, 100% of interest incurred on a loan to purchase, improve or repair a residential property that is let will be deductible against the rental income from that property. This simply accelerates the restoration of the interest deduction by 2 years.
There is no change in VAT rate for tourism sector and will continue as 13.5% in 2020.
Tax Free threshold for gifts and inheritances within Category A (generally parents to their children) is increasing from €320,000 to 335,000).
The Minister reiterated in his Budget speech that the 12.5% Corporation Tax rate will remain in place indefinitely.
€1 billion allocated to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in 2020 – a 2% increase and €10 million will be allocated to a Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund.
The annual investment limit for the Employment and Investment Incentive will be increased to €250,000.
An annual investment limit of €500,000 will be introduced for investors who are prepared to invest in the EII for ten years or more.
Research and Development tax credit would be increased from 25% to 30% for micro and small companies.
An increase to the limit to third-level institutes of education announced from 5% to 15%.
Special Assignee Relief Programme and the Foreign Earnings Deduction extended until the end of 2022.
Relief from betting duty and betting intermediary duty announced up to a limit of €50,000 per year.
The farm restructuring relief programme is to be extended to the end of 2022.
The Benefit In Kind zero rate on electric vehicles is extended to 2022.
VRT reliefs for conventional and plug in hybrids is extended to 2020, subject to CO2 thresholds
Increase rate of Dividend Withholding Tax from 20% to 25% from 1 January 2020
1% on properties valued up to €1,000,000
2% on balance of consideration in excess of €1,000,000
6% to 7.50 % on commercial (nonresidential) properties and other forms of property not otherwise exempt from duty.
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