Laois County Councillors have voted unanimously not to increase the rate of Local Property Tax for 2021.
The decision was made at a special meeting of Laois County Council this morning in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
The rates at present, that will continue next year, based on the value of your house, are as follows:
€0 – €100,000 = €99
€100,001 – €150,000 = €247
€150,001 – €200,000 = €346
€200,001 – €250,000 = €445
€250,001 – €300,000 = €544
€300,001 – €350,000 = €643
€350,001 – €400,000 = €742
€400,001 – €450,000 = €841
€450,001 – €500,000 = €940
€500,001 – €550,000 = €1,039
€550,001 – €600,000 = €1,138
€600,001 – €650,000 = €1,237
€650,001 – €700,000 = €1,336
€700,001 – €750,000 = €1,435
€750,001 – €800,000 = €1,534
€800,001 – €850,000 = €1,633
€850,001 – €900,000 = €1,732
€900,001 – €950,000 = €1,831
€950,001 – €1,000,000 = €1,930
Last year, Laois generated €9 million in Property Tax – €5.6 million that they collected themselves and the remainder from a central fund that is redistributed to county councils by the government when all of the funds are pooled together.
Director of Finance Gerry Murphy outlined that around 29,500 households in the county pay property tax at present.
Of those, the majority, 12,744, fall into the first category and pay €99.
While the next 12,420 pay €247 with the remainder spread out over the higher value categories.
Those living in council houses are not liable to pay Property Tax – and Laois County Council pays that instead with the figure for 2020 amounting to €234,554.
Laois County Councillors roundly welcomed the decision to leave the rate unchanged with Caroline Dwane Stanley saying it was a ‘great relief’.
The Sinn Fein Councillor said: “I want to welcome the fact that there is no increase in the Property Tax for 2021.
“We are in the middle of a deepening crisis that has been caused by Covid-19.
“Many people have lost their jobs and some are out of work and hoping to return but it is all very uncertain at the moment.
“So I know this news will come as a relief to many families who are suffering at this very difficult time.”
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