Most taxpayers don’t trust Government to spend public money wisely

Most Irish taxpayers don't trust the Government to spend public money wisely, according to a survey by tax refund specialists Taxback.com.

The group surveyed more than 1,600 of their customers to ascertain their confidence in Government spending of taxes.

It found that while the majority support the Government’s planned spending on infrastructure projects, 72 per cent are less trusting of the Government’s ability to spend public money wisely.

The finding comes ahead of Tuesday’s budget which is expected to earmark €300 million for tax cuts and about €3.3 billion for spending increases.

Ireland join three other member states to oppose EU digital tax plan

---

Trump lauds benefits of trade pact with Canada and Mexico

---

Calls for tax relief on rents, Irish consumers fear Brexit but Paris looks set to benefit

---

Sean Dunne: ‘I have been treated like Pablo Escobar’

---

The programme for government suggested a 2:1 ratio in favour of spending increases over tax cuts. In Budget 2019 the ration will be about 11:1 amid the public outcry over blockages in housing and health.

The survey suggested a majority of taxpayers (54 per cent) also favoured introducing a third rate of tax of 43 per cent on earnings above €80,000 in the budget. Such a rate could yield the exchequer an additional €433 million for the Government.

Public infrastructure

Commenting on the findings, Eileen Devereux, commercial director at www.taxback.com, said: "Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he wants the majority of any additional cash to go into improving public infrastructure rather than tax reduction, so may well be pleased to hear that 52 per cent of our survey respondents also favour this approach.

“However, it also means that a sizeable 48 per cent will be left disappointed on budget day as they would rather see a reduction in taxes, and with the prospect of a general election looming, the Government will be hoping to get this portion of the population on side ahead of polling day.”

The Government is likely to use an unexpected €1 billion in corporation tax receipts this year to help plug a hole in the health budget. Total corporation tax receipts are expected to rise to a record €9.5 billion for 2018 while overspending in health could be as high as €700 million.

The budget is also expected to include a significant increase in the level of capital spending for social housing.