A little over a month from the Irish Government's Budget 2018, there are numerous predictions of measures which may be introduced. Speculation about changes on income tax should be taken seriously. The withdrawal of PAYE credits to those earning over €100,000 is one much discussed option. It is very similar to a measure introduced in the UK several years ago. It results in very high marginal taxes, in excess of 60%, for those earning between €100,000 to €120,000. It also promotes behaviour to eliminate crossing the threshold, such as increased pension contributions and rejection of pay-rises. The UK equivalent has however survived successive budgets suggesting however that it is not necessarily a temporary, or electorally unpopular measure.
...incomes between €100,000 and €120,000 the marginal tax rate – the tax take on each euro of extra income – would be more than 60 per cent.
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