Ibec: Help businesses by doubling property tax

Employers’ group Ibec has urged the Government to effectively double the controversial new property tax on householders to ease the burden on business.

In a submission to an inter-departmental group established to advise the Government on the design of the new tax, Ibec pressed the Government to introduce the tax at a rate which would see the average household charged €800 per annum — almost twice the level proposed by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.

Ibec claims the new tax, which comes into effect in July, “provides the opportunity to lessen the burden on business”.