Families in mortgage difficulty cannot afford property tax - FF

Families in mortgage difficulty simply cannot afford to pay hundreds of euro in extra taxes on their home, says a Cavan-Monaghan Deputy.

Deputy Brendan Smith reiterated his strong opposition to the Government’s property tax plans, as the Revenue Commissioners prepare to issue letters to homeowners Cavan, Monaghan and across the country from next week.
 
“It is deeply unfair to expect homeowners, who cannot afford their home as it is, to pay hundreds of euro in extra tax on that home,” said Deputy Smith. 'These are people who have already paid significant stamp duty, are now deep in negative equity and are struggling to pay their mortgages and household bills.
 
“I strongly believe that it is wrong to tax the family home.  I also believe it is completely wrong to introduce any form of property tax at time of unprecedented mortgage crisis and a complete failure on behalf of Government and the banks to address this crisis.' 
He explained that under Fine Gael and Labour’s plan, a home in Cavan or Monaghan worth €150,000 will pay approximately €315 in property taxes.

'I have spoken to so many families here who are genuinely distressed about how they will afford to pay this, at a time when they can barely pay their mortgage and other household bills,' added Deputy Smith.
“The latest mortgage arrears figures out this week show that one in every four mortgages are in difficulty.  Behind these figures are families who are trying to lead normal lives while knowing there is a real prospect they may lose their home. The Government cannot in good conscience hit these families with property taxes on top of everything else, while failing to address the ever deepening mortgage crisis.'