Owners of investment properties and holiday homes could be hit by a €200 tax in a matter of weeks following the publication of new legislation.
Environment Minister John Gormley said he hopes the charge will raise €40m annually for city and county councils.
The Government announced the tax on non-principal private dwellings in the Budget last October to support local government finances.
People who own residential rental property, holiday homes and vacant residential property, unless newly constructed and unsold, will be liable to pay the charge to the relevant local authority.
Minister Gormley said it is significant as local authorities should not be unduly dependent on central Government funding and this new form of revenue stream will be derived and spent locally.
The intention is to have the legislation passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before the summer recess.
