Sinn Féin in government will repeal the Family Home Tax – Brady

Sinn Féin in government will repeal the Family Home Tax – Brady

Wicklow Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has welcomed the Sinn
Fein bill to repeal the Family Home Tax that was introduced to the
Dail this week and said his party is committed to repealing the tax if
in government after the next general election.

Speaking after the launch of the Financial Local Property Tax Repeal
Bill Councillor Brady said:

“This bill is a key part of Sinn Fein’s alternative to austerity for
lower and middle income families. These families have borne the brunt
of austerity budget after austerity budget under Fianna Fáil and Fine
Gael/Labour.  They need a break.

“This tax was signed off on by Fianna Fáil and has been taken up by
the Fine Gael and Labour. There are a wide range of alternatives as
Sinn Féin has consistently pointed out.

“The method of collection of this new tax is brutal. Those who are
accepted as being unable to pay face a 4% penalty next year while
those who can’t pay but are not recognised as being unable to pay face
a 8% penalty. The government will raid salaries, social welfare
payments and pensions to extract this tax on the family home.

“We know the reality that one in four mortgages are in distress yet
these same households who may be in negative equity and have paid
stamp duty now face this extra tax. That is blatantly unfair.

“We saw in last week’s list of exempted ghost estates just how few
exemptions will be tolerated.

“Sinn Féin in government will repeal this tax. Our bill would refund
the tax paid by citizens for the year in which it is scrapped.

“This bill which has been introduced on the floor of the Dáil this
week and will be debated during our Private Members’ Time at the
earliest opportunity.

“We will continue to campaign across the state to win support for this bill.”

Launch of Wicklow Sinn Fein Family Home Tax campaign timed to coincide with first demand letters from Revenue

Wicklow Sinn Féin has announced a series of public meetings across the
County aimed at opposing the Property Tax and to build a campaign
demanding that the legislation is repealed. The meetings are timed to
coincide with the first letters of demand which are due to be posted
to households from 11th March.

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor John Brady has said “On Tuesday 12th
March Sinn Féin are launching our campaign against the Family Home
Tax, the launch will take place in the Royal Hotel in Bray and it is
timed to coincide with the first letters of demand from the Revenue
Commissioners which will go in the post to every eligible and some
ineligible households across this state, this will be yet another
demand from a government fixated on austerity and implementing the
failed policies of Fianna Fáil.”

Councillor John Brady has said “The family home tax will be the last
straw for many struggling families across Wicklow. This week the
government rushed through the second piece of legislation on the
Family Home Tax. Once again their arrogance resulted in little or no
debate on the most important issue facing many people. This cabinet
with their large salaries will not feel the effect of this new tax but
hundreds of thousands of others in mortgage arrears, unemployed or
simply struggling month to month will feel it acutely. The government
needs to get out of their comfortable seats and recognise this fact.”

“Sinn Féin is the only party with a clear and consistent opposition to
a Family Home Tax. This is an unfair tax which takes no regard to
stamp duty paid, management fees or ability to pay in most cases. Sinn
Féin is determined to see this tax repealed rather than simply
tinkered with. We have shown how an alternative Wealth Tax would be a
fairer alternative which would not dampen the domestic economy.”

Brady continued “Recently 70,000 homeowners heard that the AIB will be
increasing their variable mortgage interest rates. This comes at a
time when one in four mortgages are in distress. The last thing the
180,000 mortgage holders in distress need is another letter bearing
unsustainable demands. For the 1.8 million people left with €100 or
less at the end of the month after essential bills are paid this will
be the tipping point. The property tax letter from Revenue to
householders will only add financial stress and hardship to families
across the state. There is no sense in taxing the family home.”

Cllr Brady concluded “Sinn Féin will launch a bill in the coming weeks
which would repeal the Family Home Tax. We are calling on all parties
to reflect on what receiving the letter on the week of the 11th of
March will mean for working people and to lend their support to our
repeal bill before it’s too late. The reality of this unfair tax is
now dawning on people who have already shouldered austerity budget
after austerity budget. On Tuesday 12th March Wicklow Sinn Féin will
launch our campaign to repeal the Property Tax. This will be followed
by a number of other public meetings that have been organised across
Wicklow which include, The Arklow Bay Wednesday 20th March. The Corner
House, Carnew, Thursday 21st March both at 8pm.” Ends