David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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54. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 200 of 7 March 2024, the number of vacant homes tax (VHT) returns received by the Revenue Commissioners, by each local authority area, from 31 October 2023 to date, in tabular form; the number of exemptions to the VHT applied for; the number of these applications allowed; the amount collected in respect of each local authority area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45464/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Vacant Homes Tax (VHT) is administered by Revenue in accordance with Part 22B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997). A residential property will be within the scope of the tax if it has been occupied as a dwelling for less than 30 days in a chargeable period. Each chargeable period commences on 1 November and ends on 31 October of the following year.

The first chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2022 and ended on 31 October 2023. The first self-assessed returns were due on 7 November 2023 and the associated tax payable on or before 1 January 2024. The second chargeable period commenced on 1 November 2023 and ended on 31 October 2024, with self-assessed returns due on 7 November 2024 and the associated tax payable on or before 1 January 2025.

VHT operates on a self-assessment basis, where the number of properties in scope and the amount of tax payable depends on the self-assessed returns submitted by property owners, the number of properties declared as liable, and the number of property owners entitled to claim available exemptions from the tax. Chargeable persons are required to retain records to verify that the information declared on their VHT return is accurate. These records may include, but are not limited to, documents relating to the use of a residential property during a chargeable period, any claim for exemption from VHT or any evidence relating to the property being outside the scope of VHT for a chargeable period.

Further information regarding VHT, including VHT exemptions, is available on the Revenue website at: www.revenue.ie/en/property/vacant-homes-tax/index.aspx

I am advised by Revenue that, as of 5 November 2024, 6,655 returns have been filed for the first VHT chargeable period (1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023) where the property has been declared as vacant. Of these, 3,942 are liable for VHT and 2,713 are declared on the self-assessed return as exempt from VHT. Revenue notes that the data may be subject to revision if returns are amended.

The table below provides a breakdown of VHT returns and VHT liability by Local Authority for the first VHT chargeable period.

Information in relation to the second chargeable period is not yet available, as the return filing deadline for this chargeable period has not yet passed.