More than one million Irish workers will not pay any income tax this year, according to figures from the Revenue Commissioners.
Estimates show that some 956,200 tax 'units' – a term covering both individuals and jointly assessed couples – will be tax-exempt, despite earning an income. Single earners are required to pay income tax on earnings of €16,501 (US$19,228) or more.
The number of tax-exempt earners is up by about 4% on last year, with more than one in three Irish residents who earn an income exempt from paying income tax on it. The figures also show that 769,800 people will not have to pay the universal social charge (USC) this year, up 21,500 on last year. The charge is levied on incomes of €13,000 (US$15,148) or higher.
When combined, the Revenue figures show that around 769,800 income earners will pay neither income tax nor the USC in 2018, accounting for 29% of people with an income.
The figures for 2017 and 2018 are based on estimates from the Revenue’s tax forecasting model, using the latest data available. A spokesman told the Irish Times that they were provisional and may be revised, with estimates for 2019 due to be published at the end of July.
Meanwhile, the Irish cabinet has approved draft legislation requiring employers to publish information on their gender pay gap. The move will apply to organisations with a minimum number of employees, according to the Irish Legal News: 250 initially, falling to 150 and eventually to 50.
Equality minister David Stanton said: "This is an important measure to help reduce the gender pay gap by publishing information about it at the firm level, thus furnishing a deeper insight into the causes of the gap and facilitating employers in addressing it.”
But he added that it was not by itself a sufficient response to the problem and needed to be “supplemented by measures to increase the number of women in better-paid roles and occupations, improved childcare provision, dealing with gender stereotypes, more women in decision making, etc".
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
More than one million Irish workers will not pay any income tax this year, according to figures from the Revenue Commissioners.
Estimates show that some 956,200 tax 'units' – a term covering both individuals and jointly assessed couples – will be tax-exempt, despite earning an income. Single earners are required to pay income tax on earnings of €16,501 (US$19,228) or more.
The number of tax-exempt earners is up by about 4% on last year, with more than one in three Irish residents who earn an income exempt from paying income tax on it. The figures also show that 769,800 people will not have to pay the universal social charge (USC) this year, up 21,500 on last year. The charge is levied on incomes of €13,000 (US$15,148) or higher.
When combined, the Revenue figures show that around 769,800 income earners will pay neither income tax nor the USC in 2018, accounting for 29% of people with an income.
The figures for 2017 and 2018 are based on estimates from the Revenue’s tax forecasting model, using the latest data available. A spokesman told the Irish Times that they were provisional and may be revised, with estimates for 2019 due to be published at the end of July.
Meanwhile, the Irish cabinet has approved draft legislation requiring employers to publish information on their gender pay gap. The move will apply to organisations with a minimum number of employees, according to the Irish Legal News: 250 initially, falling to 150 and eventually to 50.
Equality minister David Stanton said: "This is an important measure to help reduce the gender pay gap by publishing information about it at the firm level, thus furnishing a deeper insight into the causes of the gap and facilitating employers in addressing it.”
But he added that it was not by itself a sufficient response to the problem and needed to be “supplemented by measures to increase the number of women in better-paid roles and occupations, improved childcare provision, dealing with gender stereotypes, more women in decision making, etc".
Emma Woollacott is a freelance business journalist. Her work has appeared in a wide range of publications, including the Guardian, the Times, Forbes and the BBC.
