Sir , – While I agree in general with the article by Neale Richmond TD on inheritance tax (“The Debate: Should inheritance tax be cut in the budget?”, Opinion & Analysis, July 9th), there is one glaring injustice he did not mention, nor did any of the other letter writers since then.
It is the unfair treatment of the increasing number of cohabiting couples in comparison to married couples in regard to inheritance tax.
Such couples seem to be regarded as single people, in spite of having a long-standing relationship of many years and, at times, far longer than some couples who divorce after a short period. Treating them like this is a breach of their human rights.
A couple may have been just married for a few years, but the surviving spouse does not have to pay any tax on what he or she inherits from the deceased. By contrast in regard to cohabiting couples, there is a tax bill of 33 per cent on anything over €16,250.
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The structure of family life in Ireland has changed considerably over the years but our tax laws have not kept pace with these changes. – Yours, etc,
KATHLEEN FORDE,
Whitehall,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – Inheritance tax is essential for a fair society, ensuring wealth is based on merit, not birthright. It prevents a hereditary aristocracy of the wallet, redistributing resources to foster opportunity for all.
By curbing the concentration of unearned wealth, it fuels social mobility and funds vital public services.
In short, inheritance tax ensures that the ladder of success is accessible to everyone, not just those born at the top. – Yours, etc,
AMY L WHELAN,
Waterford.
Sir, – Plausible arguments can be made for and against most taxes in existence. People on both sides will state or imply that there exists some independent principle which they invoke to support their arguments.
In this case, the only principle which I can discern is that most of those who stand to benefit from an inheritance would like to see the tax abolished or reduced in order to retain all or most of their inheritance and that most of those who are unlikely to be the beneficiaries of any substantial inheritance would like the tax to remain as it does not affect them negatively. – Yours, etc,
SEAN O’BYRNE,
Sallins,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Further to “Inheritance tax campaign is a nod to the rich” (Cantillon, Business, July 18th), I would like to know on what planet does ownership of a family home equate to unearned wealth?
I am the first in my family line to own my home. My people were tenant farmers or tradespeople; none owned property. My wife and I have worked and paid PAYE all our lives and finally, in retirement, managed to pay off the mortgage on our home. In order to buy this home we had to make many sacrifices.
We did this to provide future security for our children.
Our eldest son will need this as his family home when we are gone.
He is currently stuck in the rental market, with no hope of ever getting a mortgage, even though he earns good money. Besides inheriting the family home, he will also have to provide for his younger disabled brother.
Property as investment only exists in the minds of high-earning TDs who, on this subject, as in many other areas, are completely divorced from ordinary life. – Yours, etc,
TERRY HURRELL,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.