The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended), makes specific provision that elected members of a local authority may pass a formal resolution to vary the basic rate of the Local Property Tax for their administrative area by a percentage known as the local adjustment factor. At the meeting set by Westmeath County Council to consider this matter, the members may set a local adjustment factor within the range of +/- 15% of the basic rate, or, may decide not to adjust the basic rate.
Westmeath County Council will meet in September 2019 to consider the setting of a local adjustment factor.
Westmeath County Council welcomes written submissions from the public on this matter specifically covering the potential effects of varying the basic rate of the Local Property Tax on businesses, individuals and on local authority services.
Submissions must be received by 23 August 2019 and be sent to:
Westmeath County Council,
LPT Submissions,
Áras An Chontae,
Mount Street,
Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath
or Email: LPT@westmeathcoco.ie
Further information in relation to this notice is available on: www.westmeathcoco.ie
Signed: Pat Gallagher
Chief Executive
Dated: 9 July 2019
Local Property Tax (LPT) is an annual tax charged on all residential properties in the State and came into effect in 2013. The rate of LPT is 0.18% for properties up to a market value of €1m. Residential properties valued over €1m are assessed at the actual value at 0.18% on the first €1m in value and 0.25% on the portion of the value above €1m. The rate of LPT of 0.18% is referred to as the basic rate.
LPT is collected by the Revenue Commissioners.
A local authority may vary the basic rate of the Local Property Tax within its own area by a maximum of 15%. This means that Westmeath County Council can either increase or decrease Local Property Tax in County Westmeath in 2019 by up to 15% of the basic rate.
The basic rate was not changed in Westmeath for 2019.
The table below gives an indication of the rate of Local Property Tax for an average household in Westmeath following a 15% decrease or increase on the 2019 rate.
LPT Valuation Band |
LPT Tax Standard Rate |
-15% |
+15%
|
€0 – 100,000 |
€90 |
€76.50 |
€103.50 |
€100,001 – 150,000 |
€225 |
€191.25 |
€258.75 |
€150,001 – 200,000 |
€315 |
€267.75 |
€362.25 |
€200,001 – 250,000 |
€405 |
€344.25 |
€465.75 |
For example, if your house is valued under €100,000, you will have paid €90 Local Property Tax in 2019.
If the Local Property Tax basic rate is increased by 15% you will pay €103.50 Local Property Tax in 2020. If this rate is decreased by 15%, you will pay €76.50 Local Property Tax in 2020.
No, the Council could, having considered a range of issues, decide to leave the LPT at the same rate as this year.
This money contributes towards the cost of providing a range of local Council services including libraries, public lighting, road maintenance, housing services, fire services, supporting community initiatives, dealing with illegal dumping and littering, lake management and tourism development initiatives.
If the rate is reduced and if funding is not available to replace this reduction, then a reduced level of income available to the Council will limit the range and extent of services and supports that can be provided in 2020.
If the rate is increased, then an increased level of income available to the Council will increase the capacity to deliver services and supports in 2020.
This decision will be made at a Council meeting to be held by the end of September 2019.
Yes, Westmeath County Council would like to hear your views and opinions on any proposal to increase or decrease the rate of Local Property Tax in Westmeath. We would like to hear your thoughts on the potential effects of varying the basic rate of the Local Property Tax on households, individuals, businesses and on Council services.
To make your submission you can write to:
Westmeath County Council,
LPT Submissions,
Áras an Chontae,
Mount Street,
Co. Westmeath
or email: LPT@westmeathcoco.ie
All submissions must be received by 23 August 2019. There is no prescribed format for a submission.
The elected members of Westmeath County Council will consider the feedback received from this public consultation as part of the decision-making process. The Chief Executive will provide a summary of the written submissions received in a report to the elected members.
In making their decision on whether or not to vary the rate, the elected members will consider the following: