Charities want €63m VAT refunded

MORE than 150 Irish charities will put intense pressure on Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy today to refund them more than €63 million collected in VAT.

The Irish Charities Tax Reform Group (ICTRG) claim the minister has the power to give them this money back by setting up a special VAT refund scheme.

But Mr McCreevy has consistently claimed he cannot return the money because it is against the Sixth EU VAT Directive. The ICTRG claims this in not accurate, as it has secured senior counsel legal advice that says it is possible for Mr McCreevy to give VAT back to charities.