Fine Gael/Labour coalition government introduce a property tax as part of their programme for government.
In April 1983 details of a new property tax were revealed as part of the new Finance Bill.
The Finance Bill provides for heavier penalties for tax evasion. Evaders could face up to five years in prison.The Bill also outlines that gross household income will be the basis for determining liability for the new tax on residential property.
The tax will be charged at a rate of one and a half per cent on residential property valued at more than £65,000.
It will apply where gross household income exceeds £20,000 with a 10 per cent deduction in the tax due for each child in the household. Houses are to be valued on a self-assessment basis.
Minister for Finance Alan Dukes, outlines the details of this new tax.. Homeowners will be asked to make a declaration of the value of their property and the tax will be assessed on the basis of the valuation.
The house will be valued on a self-assessment basis.
Minister Dukes acknowledges that some householders may attempt to abuse the self-assessment system. However, he points out that there are measures in place to identify when this occurs.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 April 1983. The reporter is introduced by Charles Mitchell. The reporter is Donal O'Kelly.
The accompanying image shows Fine Gael TD Alan Dukes at the party's 1983 Ard Fheis at the RDS. in Dublin.
