Revenue Investigates Local Property Tax Portal Issues
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Local Property Tax Revenue to Rise in 2026, Driven by Revaluations and Dublin City Council Changes
Table of Contents
Overview
Local property tax revenue in Ireland is projected to reach €767 million in 2026, a nearly 10% increase from the €696.6 million collected in 2025, according to figures released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. This rise is primarily due to property revaluations and the addition of newly liable properties, wiht adjustments made by local councils contributing to the remainder of the increase.
Portal Usage and Return Filing
The filing of 2026 local property tax returns is well underway, with 95% of returns submitted through the online portal. Over the last three days alone, approximately 50,000 returns and payments have been processed via the portal. This indicates a high level of adoption of the digital filing system.
Impact of Council Rate Adjustments
Each of Ireland’s 31 local authorities has the authority to adjust the local property tax rate by up to plus or minus 15%. While most councils maintain a stable rate, changes in these adjustments are contributing to the overall revenue increase. Specifically, the decision by Dublin City Council (DCC) to discontinue a 15% discount on the rate is expected to generate an additional €16.5 million in revenue.
This change significantly impacts DCC’s allocation, bringing it to €109 million – over €50 million more than any other local authority. Carlow County Council receives the smallest allocation at €9.9 million.
In 2026, 20 local authorities will apply the maximum permitted 15% increase. conversely, only three – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin County Council – will apply cuts to their charges.
Allocation Breakdown
The increase of €70.4 million is comprised of approximately €47.1 million generated by revaluations and newly liable properties, and €23.3 million resulting from changes to the base rate by councils. The shift in Dublin City Council’s policy is the most substantial single factor driving this change.
