Where capital gains tax does not apply

YOU report (Irish Examiner, January 17) Jackie Healy-Rae’s call for the abolition of 20% capital gains tax on farm land subject to compulsory purchase.

According to Revenue, this exemption already exists: “Where, in certain circumstances, a person disposes of property in the State to an authority exercising compulsory purchase powers and subsequently reinvests the proceeds in similar property, the original property and the replacement property are treated as a single asset and a disposal is deemed not to have taken place. There is provision for partial relief where part only of the proceeds are reinvested.”

Is the Kerry TD aware of this? Should other taxpayers be asked to subsidise an exemption in circumstances other than those outlined above?

Donal Fellows

Ul Prosta 70

00-838 Warsaw

Poland