Revenue Commissioner confirms that flooding risk will impact property tax valuation – Donohoe

22nd February, 2013

 

Information on flood risk homes to be included on Revenue website and in information campaign

Under questioning by Fine Gael Dublin Central Deputy, Paschal Donohoe, this morning (Thursday) at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Revenue Commissioner, Josephine Feehily, confirmed that homeowners who have been flooded in the past or who are at risk of flooding in the future should take account of their circumstances when filing their self-assessed tax return for the property tax.

Ms. Feehily also confirmed that information will now be included in the Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section on the Revenue website and that information on flood risk homes will be sent to Community Information Services. Deputy has previously raised the matter in the Dáil and with the Department of Finance.

“People who live in homes that been flooded in the past, or those who are at risk of flooding in the future, have already suffered a double hit; they can’t get insurance cover and their houses have plummeted in value.

“At the PAC today, I asked the Revenue Commissioner to clarify the situation for these people in respect of the amount of property tax they will have to pay. In some instances the situation can be so extreme where a house on one side of the road is at risk of flooding, while those on the other have never been exposed to floods.

“It was confirmed to me that in self assessing the value of a property, residential characteristics such as location, which can impact positively or negatively on the market value of a property, should be taken into account. This includes flooding.

“The Revenue Commissioner will begin next month writing to homeowners, sending them a booklet, a tax return form and a letter explaining what they need to do. Revenue will send an estimate which they feel is appropriate for the property. It is then up to the homeowner to adjust the amount as they see fit and to file a return indicating the tax liability they feel should be attached to their home.

“It is vital that homeowners include a risk of flooding in their self-assessment for the property tax. Inability to gain insurance for a home will massively influence the valuation of a property. The Revenue Commissioner confirmed to me that this value should be used in calculating the liability.

“Following my raising of this issue today at Committee, the Commissioner has agreed to have information included on its website to instruct and guide people who live in flood risk homes. Information will also be made available at Community Information Services and a helpline will be in place from the beginning of March.”