<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Property taxes are common in countries around the world. Until recently, Ireland was an exception as there was no annual tax on residential property. This paper is a review of the Local Property Tax (LPT) system that was introduced in 2013 and had its first property revaluations in 2021. Using the lens of municipal finance and tax assignment, the rationale, history, features and administration of this new residential property tax are outlined. While recognising country-specific circumstances, lessons, opportunities and challenges are explored with a view to future improvements in the design and implementation of the LPT. Lessons from the LPT experience are the importance of tax administration and the role of the central tax collection agency, and, in terms of design, the need for a tailored approach to suit local circumstances. Challenges include the rates/LPT mix and the relative tax burdens on non-residential and residential properties, the long-term sustainability of the LPT arising from design issues, the current low tax rate and future revaluations, and, finally, the need for regular property tax reform because of political and taxpayers’ opposition to a highly visible, unpopular but good local tax.</p>
</abstract>

Property taxes are common in countries around the world. Until recently, Ireland was an exception as there was no annual tax on residential property. This paper is a review of the Local Property Tax (LPT) system that was introduced in 2013 and had its first property revaluations in 2021. Using the lens of municipal finance and tax assignment, the rationale, history, features and administration of this new residential property tax are outlined. While recognising country-specific circumstances, lessons, opportunities and challenges are explored with a view to future improvements in the design and implementation of the LPT. Lessons from the LPT experience are the importance of tax administration and the role of the central tax collection agency, and, in terms of design, the need for a tailored approach to suit local circumstances. Challenges include the rates/LPT mix and the relative tax burdens on non-residential and residential properties, the long-term sustainability of the LPT arising from design issues, the current low tax rate and future revaluations, and, finally, the need for regular property tax reform because of political and taxpayers’ opposition to a highly visible, unpopular but good local tax.

A review of Ireland’s Local Property Tax

Administration

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"A review of Ireland\u2019s Local Property Tax"}

Property taxes are common in countries around the world. Until recently, Ireland was an exception as there was no annual tax on residential property. This...

A review of Ireland’s Local Property Tax

Published Online: Dec 24, 2022

Page range: 1 - 25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2022-0025

Keywords
Property taxes, local taxation, LPT

© 2022 Gerard Turley, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

A review of Ireland’s Local Property Tax

Published Online: Dec 24, 2022

Page range: 1 - 25

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/admin-2022-0025

KeywordsProperty taxes, local taxation, LPT

© 2022 Gerard Turley, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Property taxes, local taxation, LPT