There have been so many questions about this, that I have compiled this summary. I have not been following it closely, so corrections are welcome.
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Revenue Tables
[FONT="]For first time buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 [/FONT]
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You will get tax relief at 30% from 2012 to 2017[/FONT]
up to a certain maximum
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Maximum for single person: €10,000 for first 7 years; €3,000 after that [/FONT]
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Maximum for married couple: :€20,000 for first 7 years; €6,000 after that.[/FONT]
Single person thresholds
year of purchase|2012 |2013|2014|2015|2016|2017
2008|10,000|10,000|10,000|3,000|3,000|3,000
2007|10,000|10,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000
2006|10,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000
2005|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000
2004|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000|3,000
All relief granted at 30%
Source
Revenue.ie
Example: If you purchased your home in 2004, in 2012, you will be able to claim up to 30% of €3,000 or €900.
Interest paid|€5,000|€1,000
Maximum claim|€3,000|€1,000
Relief rate|30%|30%
Tax saved|€900|€300
Married couples thresholds
year of purchase|2012 |2013|2014|2015|2016|2017
2008|20,000|20,000|20,000|6,000|6,000|6,000
2007|20,000|20,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000
2006|20,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000
2005|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000
2004|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000|6,000
Example - if you bought in 2006, you will be able to claim 30% of the interest paid up to 20,000 in 2012. But in 2013, this will be reduced to 6,000.
|2012|2013
Interest paid|€10,000|€10,000
Maximum claim|€10,000|€6,000
Relief rate|30%|30%
Tax saved|€3,000|€1,200
When is the effective date?
The date of the purchase of the house is the date you completed the sale and drew down the mortgage.
So if you signed contracts in Dec 2008 and closed the sale in January 2009, you are not covered by this.
Am I a first-time buyer if I traded up?
I bought my first house in 2004 but traded up in 2006. Do I still get the relief?
Yes.
Not sure what happens if you traded up in 2009. I don't think you get the 30% relief.
Does it apply to top-ups?
Yes, if the top-up was used to improve your home.
No, if it was used to buy a car or repay other debt.