Budget 2017 is almost upon us, and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan has seen fit to toss a bunch of vote-fishing crumbs to a weary audience, while at the same time offsetting such feigned benevolence with a steep increase to the Property Tax.
Among the condescending measures are cuts to the USC on incomes up to €70,000, a reduction on DIRT for those who still manage to save, and an increase on the thresholds for inheritance tax.
Smokers will also feel Mr. Noonan’s wrath, as cigarettes are going up by 30 cents at least.
The day of reckoning is Tuesday, October 11.