Tax cuts targeted at middle-income workers in Budget
Widening of tax bands will mean fewer pay top 40pc rate
MIDDLE-INCOME earners are in line for a tax cut in the Budget, despite warnings that the economy could overheat.
The priority will be to raise the current entry point for the higher tax rate – currently just €34,550 for a single person.
As a result of this widening of the tax bands, thousands of middle-income earners will be taken out of paying the higher rate of tax of 40pc.
Raising the entry point will mean middle-income earners are paying less of their income at the higher rate, thereby delivering a reduction in their overall tax bill.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will spend the summer working on a tax package worth around €266m.
However, Mr Donohoe could face a battle with Fianna Fáil which said it remained unconvinced the public wanted tax cuts.
The State’s economic thinktank warned this week that there was “little or no scope” for cutting income taxes in October’s Budget.
ESRI officials raised concerns that a big increase in capital spending under Project Ireland 2040, combined with tax reductions, could push the economy towards the point of overheating.
But as he launched the Summer Economic Statement (SES), Mr Donohoe promised to reduce taxes in a “steady and affordable” manner.
There is deep scepticism in both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil about the ability of the two parties to agree a budget for next year.
MIDDLE-INCOME earners are in line for a tax cut in the Budget despite warnings that the economy could overheat.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will spend the summer working on a tax package worth around €266m.
It will include changes to the income tax bands in order to remove thousands of people from the higher rate of 40pc.
However, Mr Donohoe could face a battle with Fianna Fáil which said that it remains unconvinced that the public wants tax cuts.
The State’s economic thinktank warned this week there is “little or no scope” for cutting income taxes in October’s Budget.
ESRI officials raised concerns that a big increase in capital spending under Project Ireland 2040, combined with tax reductions, could push the economy towards the point of overheating.
But as he launched the Summer Economic Statement (SES), Mr Donohoe promised to reduce taxes in a “steady and affordable” manner.
It is understood his priority is to raise the current entry point for the higher tax rate from €34,550.
The SES paints a picture of an economy that is “in good shape”, with employment close to its highest level ever.
But it added: “Capacity constraints are increasingly becom- ing a feature of some sectors, and this, in turn, could lead to overheating in the economy.
“Government policy should never add fuel to the fire.”
The Government will have €3.4bn of new money available for Budget 2019, but €2.6bn of this has already been pre-committed.
This includes €1.5bn set aside for capital developments, primarily in the areas of housing and transport. Another €400m is earmarked for public sector pay increases.
In total, Mr Donohoe will have €800m for new, day-today spending and tax cuts in the Budget.
“I’m aware of how expectations have now increased given the remarkable performance of our economy,” he said.
“I have to emphasis that not all demands can be met.”
Under EU rules, the Government has the option of spending up to another €900m – but Mr Donohoe said he had made a “clear choice” not to do this, as it would require further borrowing or tax hikes.
However, he admitted there was the potential for some measures that would widen the tax base in order to give him more leverage.
“All the forecasts will be revised in the run-up to Budget day,” he said.
Agreement
There is deep scepticism in both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil about the ability of the two parties to agree a budget for next year.
Fianna Fáil’s housing spokesman Darragh O’Brien said his party had already “dragged the Government away from massive tax cuts”.
Asked whether he accepted that workers expect some form of tax break, he replied: “I don’t quite yet. Really what people want to see is improvement in housing, improvement in health and public services. They are quality of life issues.
“We’re talking about SNAs (Special Needs Assistants) for kids. I’m not sure whether people want a €10 cut a month in their taxes or would they like to see their kids, or their brother or sisters, being able to buy homes. And to stop the fact we’ve nearly 4,000 kids in emergency accommodation.”
The Labour Party criticised plans to put €500m into a ‘rainy day fund’ rather than housing.
Former Tánaiste Joan Burton said the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund and significant share holdings in the banks provide a buffer for future shocks.