Property tax to be taken from non-payers next week

Some 50,000 people who have yet to pay the local property tax have been warned they have one week to pay or face having the fee deducted from their wages or pension.

According to a Revenue Commissioner statement today those who are in arrears will have been sent a final reminder letter and recipients have seven working days to make the payment.

If they fail to do so the Revenue will issue instructions to their employer or pension provider to deduct the property tax from their salary or occupational pension.

To date, over 1.58 million property tax returns have been filed and over €175 million has been collected.

The Revenue admitted that because there is no complete property register in the State, there will be some errors in its records.

It said people who had received a reminder letter but had already filed a return should contact the a local property tax helpline on 1890 200 255 and confirm the payment has been made.

Revenue said some reminders may have also been sent to people who do not own the property they live in.

The local property tax came into force on July 1st. Eligible homeowners were given until the end of May to register for the self-assessed tax.

Self-employed homeowners who fail to register have been warned they will be blocked from receiving a tax compliance certificate until they comply and pay.

People are required to self-assess the value of the property, but Revenue has provided estimates based on the average value of homes in particular areas. The annual sum will be collected by Revenue Commissioners.

Waivers will apply to homeowners earning less than €15,000, those living in ghost estates and properties with pyrite damage.

Additional reporting: PA