Unemployed face unfair property tax charges

Anybody unemployed and liable for local property tax cannot have the tax deducted from their jobseeker’s assistance or benefit — and so face additional transactional charges if they pay the tax by phased payments.

The Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed (INOU) has said the Revenue Commissioners “should have addressed the needs of the unemployed better”, but Revenue says it will not deduct from the dole as it is a “transitional payment” and not a long-term, stable payment like an old-age pension.

Revenue’s documentation on the tax admits that debit/credit card payments, direct debit, and cash payment options can lead to levies and charges.