Survey: 65% of businesses support property tax

Some 65% of businesses support the introduction of a domestic property tax, according to a survey published today.

Respondents to the survey by Chambers Ireland also overwhelmingly agreed (90%) that any property tax should be used to fund local rather than national services.

“The results of this Chamber Network survey confirm strong business support for a property tax," said Chambers Ireland Deputy Chief Executive Seán Murphy.

"Businesses currently pay high commercial rates and other charges to their Local Authority.

"A broad-based property tax would ensure fairness and support the application of the user/polluter pays principle that the Chamber Network has always advocated, and which over 82% of respondents in the survey also support.”

"Ultimately, the property tax should be a local tax for local services to support an appropriately structured and self-sustaining local government system,” Murphy concluded.

The survey was conducted among Chamber members between March 21 and 27. The report is based on 408 responses received.