Author: Geraldine

How is property valued for the new Local property tax?

There was much media hype on the publication of the Revenue’s guide to property values. However, the new Local Property Tax (LPT) is, like most other taxes, self-assessed. The Revenue does not provide individual valuations. The letters to be sent will have tax estimates but these can be replaced by the taxpayer on filing returns

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Insolvency guidelines

The weekend papers headlined that parents would have to stay at home as high childcare costs would not be counted as legitimate debt and neither would private healthcare. This may become the case but to date the guidelines on the new Insolvency legislation await publication. While the law has passed the structures have yet to

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Erne Fishery Case 1927

The Erne Fishery case, also known as ‘The Kildoney Men’s Case’,  was a court action by local fishermen in the Ballyshannon area for the right to fish in the Erne Estuary. The case instigated  on or about the 15 February 1927 ended in victory for the fishermen on the 31 July 1933. Locals are this

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Publication of Courts Bill 2013

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter T.D.,  yesterday announced the publication of the Courts Bill 2013. The Bill has two purposes, the first of which is to modify the in camera rule which prevents members of the public, including the news media, from being present in court when family law and

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New Monetary jurisdiction for the courts

  The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter T.D., today announced the publication of the Courts Bill 2013.The Bill has two purposes, the first of which is to modify the in camera rule applicable to Family Law.  The second purpose of the Bill is to increase the monetary jurisdiction limits of the

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Mortgage arrears and the MARP process

The Central Bank’s  Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears introduced the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), which banks must use when dealing with distressed home loans and to address mortgage arrears. Banks are obliged to engage with the borrowers to attempt to reach sustainable solutions, but its only effect is to defer repossessions. It’s up

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Bankruptcy law changes

Personal Insolvency Law is now regulated by the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 and the Bankruptcy Acts 1988-2012, since December 2012. The most significant change is the introduction of an automatic discharge period of three years. However, it is perhaps not as automatic as it looks when you realise that a further five year ‘Income Payments’

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Bankruptcy Benefits

With the 12 year automatic discharge period cut to 3 years, there are Benefits in bankruptcy as a debt settlement remedy: Fees for legal advice and negotiation are provided for as part of process. The stigmatisation is diluted as the Economic Crash is seen as the cause. Fresh start, the bankrupt’s debts are wiped out.

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Am I exempt from the new Property Tax?

The following properties are exempt from the tax: A. New and unused properties purchased from a builder or developer between 1 January 2013 and 31 October 2016 are exempt until the end of 2016. B. Properties purchased by a first time buyer between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2013 are exempt until the end

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Personal insolvency arrangement

  Personal insolvency arrangement is the final debt settlement resolution process under the Personal Insolvency Act and is available to debtors with secured debt up to €3,000,000 and unsecured debt over a six-year period (with a possible one-year extension).   A debtor may enter into a personal insolvency arrangement only once.  Following discussions with the

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