Full coverage: Budget

Papers released by the Tax Strategy Group examine options to reduce the burden of capital gains tax on entrepreneurs. While they rule out a headline rate cut, there are other ideas on the table.

The Summer Economic Statement gives an indication of how Budget 2023 will shake out. Expenditure will likely rise and large sums will be ring-fenced for one-off payments, but what long-term nudges to the economy is it going to bring in? Or will it be more of the same?  

In times of incredible economic uncertainty, the logical response would be to spend less. Resisting the political temptation to do the opposite is going to be very difficult.

Of the many transport situations where driving a car makes little sense, business trips are the most obvious. The tax treatment of expenses claims offers one of the many avenues needed to tackle the disproportionate cost of the drive-everywhere mindset.

Lobby groups have campaigned for a universal basic income for years. Now, it looks like a pilot programme will be announced in this year’s Budget. Arts workers are the obvious choice to trial it over the next three years, but some elements of the anticipated pilot still need to be ironed out.

It’s peak season for pre-budget submissions, with 15 examined here. A good way of analysing the demands coming from various sections of society is to relate them to the amount of taxpayers’ money spent on dog racing.

Ireland’s CGT rate has been increased four times in 12 years, is among the highest in the world, and is an ongoing flashpoint between business and policymakers. With budget negotiations underway, will the government reduce the 33% rate? Or will they tinker with reliefs?

Michael McGrath has just co-authored an unprecedented €17.75bn budget package. Now, he wants to ensure he gets value for the money. Here, he explains how, and also discusses the new business supports for business, Brexit trade talks and the impact of the new Covid-19 restrictions.

As budgetary caution evaporates under the Covid-19 shock, energy efficiency, buses and trains are getting funded like never before. Can these new environmental priorities survive into the future?

Paschal Donohoe is a chief architect of the July stimulus package. In an in-depth interview, the finance minister talks about the philosophy behind the package, the challenges facing Irish business and the societal impact of Covid-19.