TAXATION: Any taxpayer who is a member of a trade union for any length of time in a tax year is entitled to a tax credit of up to €25 for the year for subscriptions paid. For the short tax year, April to December 2001, the tax credit was €19.
The tax credit for 2001 has been carried forward and is being added to any tax credit due for this year.
If you are entitled to a tax credit but it is not shown on your Certificate of Tax Credits, you should contact your tax office to claim the credit or phone LoCall 1890 60 50 90.
Tax relief for trade union contributions was announced in the Budget for 2001. The tax relief, which was announced for 2001, is available for the current tax year with retrospection for last year.
The Revenue Commissioners have been working with the trade unions and with employers to ensure that, as far as possible, every union member automatically gets their full entitlement.
But if it has been omitted, it is up to you to spot it.
The full list of tax credits should be given in your Certificate of Tax Credits for the tax year 2002, which was issued last month.
Income tax relief is also available for individuals who pay local authority and other service charges. Relief is given for service charges paid in full and on time in the previous calendar year.
Since April 2001, tax relief for medical insurance premiums has been granted at source.
