Revenue defends valuation guide after criticism

The Revenue Commissioners have defended their method of calculating house prices in advance of this summer’s property tax amid criticism that their valuation guidelines do not reflect market reality.

As growing opposition to the tax mounts, Keith Walsh, architect of the Revenue’s website, said yesterday that its online guide to home values would be helpful for many people in assessing what they will have to pay.

The guide is designed to help home owners estimate what tax band their property falls into. People will begin to receive letters this week detailing the amount of tax owed.