Agri carbon tax rebate proposed

Farmers must not suffer an increased carbon tax on farm diesel, according to IFA. They have proposed a way to offset its imposition as part of their submission on the upcoming finance bill, which will be published later this month

''VAT registered farmers would claim a direct refund on additional carbon tax costs with their VAT returns,'' said IFA president John Bryan.

''Unregistered farmers should pay, at point-of-sale, a fuel price net of the carbon tax increase. The fuel distributors could then claim the rebate in bulk from the Revenue Commissioners.''

IFA's submission also includes a provision that the increased stock relief that has been proposed for farm production partnerships be extended all registered farm partnerships, and not just milk production partnerships. They want to see the introduction of Capital Gains Tax relief for farm consolidation and for landowners who have property subject to a compulsory purchase order (CPO). IFA are also calling for a VAT refund for wind turbines purchased during the last four years by unregistered farmers.