Non-resident status claimed by 3,000

THERE are about 3,000 people claiming non-resident tax status in Ireland.

The figure has been revealed for the first time by Tánaiste and Finance Minister Brian Cowen, who told the Dáil that the number of people claiming non-resident status in the State has become available only for the first time.

Non-resident individuals pay no income tax so long as they spend no more than 183 days in the country. Several well-known businesspeople, including high profile billionaires, enjoy this status.