Sir, – The Tax Strategy Group of the Department of Finance has suggested to the Government that it could introduce legislation to make it mandatory to file a tax return on all inheritances and gifts, “no matter how small” (“Tax strategy papers: the highlights”, Business, July 23rd). This suggestion is ridiculous. I have been giving my children cash gifts during primary school and secondary school. I called it pocket money. Similarly, I gave cash gifts during college so they could meet friends and buy the necessities of college life. I paid for holidays, equipment and other costs required for life in the world today. And cash gifts for weddings. Are they expected to account for all this largesse and report it to Revenue?
Any TD that promotes this proposal should remember what happened when the government of the day tried to tax children’s shoes. – Yours, etc,
BILL KEE,
Skerries,
What’s a phage and why might your body be hosting thousands of them?
Ireland is emerging from winter, but maybe hold off mowing your lawn for now
Author Torrey Peters: ‘Admitting to any sexual aspect to a trans identity can be politically dangerous. But I refuse to be silenced by bigots’
‘I feel so sorry for any young people who are gambling’: Cheltenham week a tough time for recovering addicts
Co Dublin.
