‘No exemptions’ from maternity tax

Finance Minister Michael Noonan has ruled out an exemption for mothers facing the forthcoming maternity tax despite pleas from coalition TDs.

TDs say women denied a top-up from employers while on maternity leave will have to survive on significantly reduced incomes when the new tax comes into effect from July.

But Mr Noonan said some mothers could end up paying no charge on their state-paid maternity benefit as their personal tax credits may be sufficient to reduce the tax liability to zero.