Tax

Department of Finance did not want to commit to vacant home tax

Official objected to Housing Department’s commitment to implement tax as ‘premature’

New documents show that there was internal wrangling between the departments of Finance and Housing about giving a clear commitment to the vacant home tax in the government’s five-year housing strategy

The Department of Finance objected to the inclusion of a commitment to a vacant home tax in the national housing strategy, the Business Post has learned.

This newspaper reported last week that the introduction of a vacant home tax next year is in doubt after local property tax returns to the Revenue showed a low level of vacancy across all counties.

New documents now show that there was internal wrangling between the departments of Finance ...