This week, Independent TD Mattie McGrath has voiced what many people are thinking – that the timing and clarity of the Revenue services pronouncements on the payment of the Local Property Tax for 2014 has left many thousands of people ‘needlessly frightened and confused’.

Deputy McGrath was speaking as widespread anger has arisen due to the perception that has been created surrounding when the payment of the controversial Government tax must be made.

“If ever there was an example of a Government and a Revenue service that is totally out of sync with the worries and concerns of most ordinary people at this time of year, this is it. In the run up to Christmas, they have created the impression that large sums of money are going to be deducted from people’s accounts if strict compliance is not made by these ridiculous deadlines of the 7th and 27th of November. 960,000 people will now be anxiously awaiting these letters and fearing that the limited resources they have at this time of the year will now be depleted even further.”

To add insult to injury, Deputy McGrath says he is aware of several people who have tried to access the revenue website in an attempt to retrieve an estimate of what will be due from them, only to find that in some cases they have received estimates of 5 or 6 times over the real figure.

“This will be deeply unsettling for the vast majority of people who are already on a financial knife edge after this despicable Budget,” he stressed.

Last year 46% of householders paid the tax by cheque, cash, credit card or debit card. They will have to contact Revenue in the coming weeks. Those making paper tax returns must select a payment option by 7th November, while those filling out tax returns online have until 27th November.

“The whole atmosphere created by this debacle has been a reflection of people’s rightly held perception that the Government and Revenue simply cannot take the money quickly enough from you. We are talking about the payment in November of this year for next year’s Property Tax; there is an indecent and cruel haste to this that was completely avoidable.”

The Independent deputy continued: “Indeed I would say it is not really about perception anymore, it is about the stark reality that this Government are coming back again and again to bleed people dry and all the paltry and pathetic ‘phased payment’ options in the world will do nothing to put money in people’s pockets that they do not have.

“It is simply another way of trying to appear understanding by not imposing a once off payment on all when in reality they could not care less once they get the money from you and to hell with the consequences for you or your family,” concluded Deputy McGrath.