Revenue eBrief No. 153/20
11 August 2020
Help to Buy (HTB)
Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-01-46 Help to Buy (HTB) has been updated to reflect the following changes:
(i) the extension of the expiry date of the qualifying period for eligibility from 31 December 2019 to 31 December 2021 as provided for in Finance Act, 2019;
(ii) the increase in the maximum tax refund available to the lower of 10% of the value of the property or €30,000 for the period from 23 July 2020 to 31 December 2020, as provided for in the Financial Provisions (Covid-19) (No.2) Act 2020, and the necessity in certain circumstances for claimants to cancel their original application for the relief and submit a new application where they believe they are entitled to the increased relief;
(iii) the updating of the guidance on instances where HTB is available when purchasing a new property from a local authority;
(iv) the inclusion of an example to demonstrate what is meant by an “indirect purchaser” and of guidance on the raising of assessments in relation to HTB.