Forced transfer of SFPs is a taxing problem

CAP reform is on course to deliver a tax windfall of tens of millions of euro to the Government.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan said this week he had no plans to alter the tax treatment of farmers who are forced by Common Agricultural Policy changes to sell entitlements.

A 33% capital gains tax exposure is faced by many of the 6,417 farmers whose leased single farm payment entitlements will be lost to both lessor and lessee, unless they are transferred permanently by sale or gift before May 15, 2014.