One policy decision which captured much public interest in the last few months was the decision to replace the health levy and the income levy with the new Universal Social Charge.
The combined impact on gross earned income from the introduction of the new Universal Social Charge and the abolition of the Health Levy and the Income Levy are shown in Figure 1. The earner worst affected by the changes in terms of percent of gross income is the individual on €15,027 (the old income levy kicked in at €15,028). He or she will lose 2.66% of income from the combined changes.
On the other hand the biggest winners from the combined changes (other than those on very high incomes such as Government Ministers and Secretary Generals) are those on just over €26,000. This is because the old health levy kicked in at 4% on the entire amount at €26,000.
Figure 1
Combined impact as percentage of gross income (single employee aged 16-65) - winners in pink and losers in green (click to enlarge)
The overall regressive nature of the changes shown in Figure 1 is stark. Page 2 of the Programme for Government makes the laudable statement that
“Both our parties are committed to protecting the vulnerable and to burden sharing on an equitable basis”.
In page 16 of the same document the Government commits to reviewing the USC. Page 16 also promises to maintain the current rates of income tax together with bands and credits. Consequently, and in the context of the severe budgetary constraints, we can assume that any changes to the USC will either be implemented on a revenue neutral basis or (more likely) implemented in a way that increases net revenue.
Let us hope the new Government’s commitment to “protect the vulnerable and ensure burden sharing on an equitable basis” guides their thinking when they make their changes.
We watch with interest.
3 comments:
I earn over 26k, my salary went down by nearly 300 quid compared to December.
Further, it is those earning in excess of 100k that have experienced winnings - their taxes dropped by 4%, along with the other savings this earning bracket experienced in January this bracket practically doesn't feel the effect of the replacement USC charge on their income.
I have been unable to feed my family two days out of seven thanks to this charge.. and you say I'm a winner??
Hi anonymous,
The USC/health levy/income levy changes represent only part of the tax changes. The reduction in tax credits and, depending on your income, the reduction in the tax bands will have reduced your income. There are also other effects on salary at play.
I will put up the equivalent charts for these measures in a later post.
Nevertheless I shouldn't have used the word winner and apologise for any (unintended) insult. My purpose was not to attack those on low/middle incomes, it was to show that those on the highest incomes fared much better in the budget than those on low incomes.
Tom
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