Top 400 earners pay less than 25% tax

THE country’s top 400 earners have an average income of at least €1.8 million per annum and pay less than a quarter of that on tax.

Figures released by the Department of Finance reveal the country’s elite earners had a combined income of €713m in 2002, the latest year for which figures were compiled. However, the top 400 paid just €175m in tax between them, less than 25%.

The new figures come weeks after the Revenue Commissioners released details of its tax take from the country’s top 400 earners in 2002.