Skip to main content

UNIVERSAL SOCIAL CHARGE

27
Jun, 2011

Surprise, surprise – it looks like the Universal Social Charge (USC) is here to stay despite its widespread unpopularity and a government promise to “review” it in its Programme for Government.

According to The Sunday Business Post, the €420m contribution the controversial measure raises for the state’s coffers means the present government is now unlikely to scrap it.  The USC, which consolidates an income levy and a health charge, was introduced by the previous government in last December’s budget.

Public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin told the newspaper the charge had made a significant contribution to the exchequer and “is an extremely large component part of our tax base”.

Recently, finance minister Michael Noonan described the charge as “one of the most progressive taxes one will find”, insisting it removed the poverty traps inherent in the previous system where separate income and health levies included different bases, exemptions, rates and thresholds.

Popular Articles

Response to Dept of Finance consultation paper on Contractors

The Departments of Finance and Social Protection issued a Consultation paper …

€90 Million Microfinance Scheme Open For Business

Have you been refused credit by the banks for loans of up to €250,000? The Mi…

AIB’s Big Drive for Small Business… Giving Credit or Paying LipService

AIB has launched a programme of supports aimed at helping startup businesses …