Tax raises €17m more than expected

COUNCILS have been given a boost of more than €17 million above what was expected from the second home tax introduced last year – and the taxman could also be in for increased coffers.

Just under €57.1m has been paid out under the Non-Principal Private Residence (NPPR) charge through a dedicated website set up by the Department of the Environment, while millions more may have been paid to city and county councils.

The charge was announced in last April’s budget and is designed to cover the cost of providing services to second and other properties owned by individuals or companies. It is €200 per residence and had to be paid from the end of July to the end of September last year, with a month’s grace added.