New figures show that only one in six people have paid the new tax on second homes one week before the deadline. The €200 tax on rental homes and investment properties is due by September 30.
The City and County Managers' Association said today that 50,000 home owners had paid up €10m. There are an estimated 300,000 second homes in Ireland.
Those who do not comply face a penalty of €20 for every month they fall into arrears. The Private Residential Tenancies board and the ESB are sharing information with local authorities enabling them to identify homes liable for the tax.
The new tax applies to homes which are not the full time residence of the owner. The charge was announced in the Budget in October of last year and it does not apply to granny flats or mobile homes.
No letters will be sent informing owners that they are liable. Instead the onus is on the individuals to go to a website www.nppr.ie and pay with a credit or debt card.
