Landlords and taxation

Sir, – The Government receives half of what a tenant pays in rent as tax and, since 2011, PRSI and USC are also paid on rental income. A landlord pays tax in November for projected earnings in the following year so the Revenue Commissioners take the money in advance. The Residential Tenancies Board is partly financed by fees paid by landlords. It suits the Government and the media to continue to blame landlords exclusively. – Yours, etc,

KATHLEEN BURNS,

Raheny,

Dublin 5.