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 July 2021 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 6 July 2021 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: 15 June 2021
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 2021 by up to 15% of the basic rate.
The basic rate was increased by 15% in Westmeath for 2021.
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 2021 rate.
| LPT Valuation Band | LPT 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 €103.50 Local Property Tax in 2021.
Under the proposed new bands, a house valued at €80,000 in 2013, with a current estimated value €186,500, increase in value of approximately 133%, the liability of €90 (before any local variation of the basic rate) remains the same.
For your information, and as advised by Government, the table below shows:
| Current Band Structure | Proposed Band Structure | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band | Charge | Band | Charge | |
| 1 | 0-100,000 | 90 | 1-200,000 | 90 |
| 2 | 100,001-150,000 | 225 | 200,001-262,500 | 225 |
| 3 | 150,001-200,000 | 315 | 262,501-350,000 | 315 |
| 4 | 200,001-250,000 | 405 | 350,001-437,500 | 405 |
| 5 | 250,001-300,000 | 495 | 437,501-525,000 | 495 |
| 6 | 300,001-350,000 | 585 | 525,001-612,500 | 585 |
| 7 | 350,001-400,000 | 675 | 612,501-700,000 | 675 |
| 8 | 400,001-450,000 | 765 | 700,001-787,500 | 765 |
| 9 | 450,001-500,000 | 855 | 787,501-875,000 | 855 |
| 10 | 500,001-550,000 | 945 | 875,001-962,500 | 945 |
| 11 | 550,001-600,000 | 1,035 | 962,501-1,050,000 | 1,035 |
| 12 | 600,001-650,000 | 1,125 | 1,050,001-1,137,500 | 1,190 |
| 13 | 650,001-700,000 | 1,215 | 1,137,501-1,225,000 | 1,409 |
| 14 | 700,001-750,000 | 1,305 | 1,225,001-1,312,000 | 1,627 |
| 15 | 750,001-800,000 | 1,395 | 1,312,501-1,400,000 | 1,846 |
| 16 | 800,001-850,000 | 1,485 | 1,400,001-1,487,500 | 2,065 |
| 17 | 850,001-900,000 | 1,575 | 1,487,501-1,575,000 | 2,284 |
| 18 | 900,001-950,000 | 1,665 | 1,575,001-1,662,500 | 2,502 |
| 19 | 950,001-1,000,000 | 1,755 | 1,662,501-1,750,000 | 2,721 |
| 20 | Over €1m | 1,750,001+ | 2,830+ | |
| Rate = 0.1029 (fixed charge in first and second bands) | ||||
No, the Council could, having considered a range of issues, decide to leave the LPT at the basic rate for 2022.
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 2022.
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 2022.
This decision will be made at a Council meeting to be held in July 2021.
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 6 July 2021. 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:
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 15/06/2021
