Holiday home tax ‘threatens tourism’

DOZENS of people who rent holiday homes in West Cork could be forced out of business by “double taxation”.

Already reeling from the downturn in tourism caused by the worldwide recession, they are now facing the prospect of forking out even more money to run their businesses, even though many already pay nearly €1,000 per year to register and run their properties.

West Cork Tourism is lobbying politicians in an effort to exempt the owners of rented holiday cottages from the Government’s planned tax on so-called second homes.