South Dublin County Council announce extension of waiver for commercial rates
By Maurice Garvey
A NEW waiver of commercial rates for the first quarter of 2021 has been announced.
According to South Dublin County Council, the value of the waiver will be the equivalent of 25 per cent of the annual rates bill for 2021.
Businesses like these in Tallaght Village could benefit from a new waiver of commercial rates for the first quarter of 2021
It applies to businesses closed by, or badly impacted by, Level 5 restrictions.
The council will automatically apply the 25 per cent waiver and say an application is not required.
About 121,000 businesses across the State had their local authority commercial rates waived between March and December last year due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions – costing the exchequer almost €1 billion.
An extension of the waiver for a further period of three months in 2021 was agreed by Government at the start of the year, which will cost the State an additional €160 million.
Income from commercial rates makes up over 50 per cent of South Dublin County Council’s budget per annum.
The council said rates are critical for ongoing services, including public lighting, footpath repair, housing services, sports/community/arts facilities, playgrounds, libraries, tourism development, and the Business Support Fund.
The council said its commercial rates for 2020 amounted to €131.5 million. Some 6,741 companies were granted a waiver at a cost of €58.9 million, which was recouped from Government.
Although the waiver applied to most businesses, a number of categories were excluded, such as those that suffered little or no economic hardship.
In recognition of the fact that there may be business rate payers excluded from the waiver, the council say there is provision for appeal by ratepayers in these categories who can demonstrate ‘severe impact’ on their business.
Excluded ratepayers that wish to appeal must submit the relevant documentary evidence by email to covid19rateswaiver@sdublincoco.ie by close of business March 12, 2021.
Details of the waiver can be found at www.sdcc.ie/en/covid-19-information/business-economy.
Further enquiries can be made by phone at 4149336
South Dublin County Council encourages any ratepayers experiencing difficulties to contact ratesdept@sdublincoco.ie to discuss their situation.
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