‘Unfair’ artistic legacy to be scrapped

IT was an idea of the late Charles Haughey, but came into its own during the Celtic Tiger boom with Hollywood stars and Spice Girls relocating to Ireland to avail off it, but among Brian Cowen’s final acts will be the practical ending of the artists’ tax exemption scheme.

On page 97 of the Government’s four-year plan, the scheme which was set to encourage a flourishing of the arts in Ireland not seen since the Celtic Twilight is ended with tax-free earnings from artistic endeavours being capped at €40,000.

Until 2006 when a €250,000 cap was placed on the level of tax-free earnings, all income through artistic endeavour was completely tax free.