Resounding ‘yes’ to maximum discount on Local Property Tax

COUNCILLORS in South Dublin County Council voted to retain the maximum discount allowable for Local Property Tax (LPT) in 2024.

At the monthly meeting on Monday, councillors voted by 27 votes to seven, with one abstention, to apply the maximum 15 per cent discount.

The 15 per cent reduction to LPT, was also passed by the members in SDCC 12 months ago, but this period was up at the end of October 2023, and needed a new vote on whether to allow a 5 per cent, 10 per cent or 15 per cent reduction.

According to an LPT report by the council, 100 per cent of the €32.2m in LPT taxes in 2023 was retained locally unlike previous years when “20 per cent was paid into an equalisation fund to ensure no local authority was worse off from local retention of LPT in 2023 compared to General Purpose Grant allocations in 2014.”

At the meeting, councillors main criticism of the “unfair tax” is that it does not take into consideration financial circumstances of the home.

Cllr Madeleine Johansson (PBP) voted in favour of the reduction, citing the cost of living crisis, and her opposition to property tax “from the very beginning.”

“The tax burden should not disproportionately fall on the shoulders of our residents, especially when it is not directly tied to their financial capacities,” said Johansson, who reiterated her support to see a “real wealth tax to tackle inequality.”

Cllr Ronan McMahon (Ind) said the “unfair tax” does not “take into account income in the home.”

“There has been a huge increase in mortgage payments. I’d suggest you prioritise collecting the €8.2m owed in rents, which can be used for services,” said McMahon.

Cllr Paul Gogarty (Ind) said the tax is impacting people and that the council have potential to chase millions in derelict housing and rebates on vacant commercial sites.

“Let’s focus on people who have the money, and not those that don’t,” said Gogarty.

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