Our tax system is discriminating against the separated and divorced

Sadhbh McElveen (Letters 2 Feb) is correct in saying that there is discrimination in the taxation of maintenance payments.

I run a financial advice service in my local citizens advice centre for those of limited means who cannot afford accountants. I only became aware of this discrimination in recent months when a woman who had endured a violent marriage came for advice about any taxation implications regarding the maintenance just awarded to her by a Court.

I checked the position and was horrified to see that on her €300 pw she would be liable for approx €,2400 pa in deductions in income tax, PRSI and USC for 2015.