# Irish charities welcome proposed tax changes

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/09/10/irish-charities-welcome-proposed-tax-changes/
- Published: 2009-09-10T09:32:41+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

The Irish Charities Tax Reform Group, which represents Ireland’s leading charities
and aid agencies, has given a “cautious” welcome to the Commission on Taxation Report’s
recommendation relating to charitable donations.

 

The ICTRG welcomed the proposed reduction in the tax relief threshold from €250 
to €100. But the group, whose members include Concern, Trócaire, Goal, Amnesty International
and the Society of St Vincent de Paul, expressed “significant disappointment” over
the proposal to standardise the reliefs. This, the statement said, was likely to
effectively cut the benefit to charities.

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The suggested simplification of the scheme by treating donations from PAYE and self-
assessed donors in exactly the same manner will reduce administration for both charities
and Revenue and should result in increased benefit to charities.

 

The ICTRG added the proposal to replace the existing “complicated upper limit on
donations” with “a straight-forward ceiling of €500,000” was to be applauded.

 

On philanthropy, the report also recommended that income tax relief for expenditure
on heritage buildings and gardens be discontinued. It said the scheme for payment
of tax by means of donation of heritage property should be retained but modified
so the tax relief is limited to 50 per cent of the value of the property donated.

 

www.charitytaxreform.com

 

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