Sean Healy: Advocates tax credits being refundable.

Social justice campaigners have come out against any reduction in the top rate of tax and any increase in the standard tax band rate in the upcoming budget, saying such moves would favour the better paid.

Social Justice Ireland argues that the higher a person’s income, the more they would benefit from a decrease in the 41% tax rate. A single person begins paying the higher tax rate on all earnings over €32,800.

According to the organisation, people earning €50,000 a year would gain €172 a year in extra take- home pay from such a tax cut, while those on €125,000 would gain €922 a year.