Vacant Homes Tax
Maximising the use of existing housing stock is also a key objective of this government.
Accordingly, I am introducing a Vacant Homes Tax to increase the supply of homes for rent or purchase to meet demand.
The tax will apply to residential properties which are occupied for less than 30 days in a twelve month period. There will be a number of exemptions to ensure that owners are not unfairly charged where the property may be vacant for a genuine reason.
The tax will operate on a self-assessment basis and will be administered by the Revenue Commissioners. The tax will be charged at a rate equal to three times the property’s existing basic Local Property Tax rate.
Residential Zoned Land Tax
In Budget 2022 I announced a Residential Zoned Land Tax.
In order to identify zoned land within the scope of the tax, maps are currently being prepared by Local Authorities who will publish their first draft maps on the 1st of November this year. Following the publication of the maps, any person will have the opportunity to apply to their Local Authority to have the zoning status of their land amended as part of a variation process.
In Finance Bill 2022 I will bring forward a number of amendments to streamline the operation of the Residential Zoned Land Tax and ensure it is efficiently administered.
Residential Development Stamp Duty
I also propose to extend the Residential Development Stamp Duty Refund Scheme to the end of 2025.
In place since 2017, this is a scheme whereby a portion of the stamp duty paid on the acquisition of non-residential land is refunded where that land is subsequently developed for residential purposes.
The net minimum stamp duty payable after a refund is 2 per cent, whereas the normal rate for non-residential property is 7½ per cent. To the end of 2021, this scheme had been availed of in respect of projects that have delivered over 15,000 residential units.