Plea for retention of artists' tax exemption
The artists' tax exemption scheme should be fully retained without any changes, the Arts Council is demanding today.
The system, which allows musicians, writers and artists to avoid paying income tax on the sale of their works, is currently being reviewed by the Government.
Members of the Arts Council, including chairwoman Olive Braiden, director Mary Cloake and writer John McGahern, are discussing the issue with the Oireachtas Committee for Finance and Public Services today.
The meeting follows a submission by the council to the Department of Finance, urging the Government to keep the exemption in its entirety.
The Arts Council said the scheme has played a crucial role in stimulating the growth of the arts in Ireland and encouraging young people to become artists.
Although concerns have been raised that the exemption benefits rich artists, particularly those in the music business, the council said the majority of artists earn very little from their work.
The withdrawal of the tax break would lead to the loss of many people from the arts world, while others would move abroad, the statutory body warned.
