State U-turn on second home tax

THE Government has made another U-turn on the €200 tax on second homes, to ensure granny flats are exempt from the levy.

Environment Minister John Gormley said changes will be made to the legislation before it is passed through the Dáil next week to ensure sons and daughters of elderly parents do not have to pay the tax for dwellings built for them either attached to or beside their own property.

“For the avoidance of all doubt on the issue, I can bring amendments now to ensure there is absolute clarity in relation to this.”