Among the indirect tax measures in the budget 2020 are the following:

Property taxation

• Stamp duty on commercial property increased by 1.5% to 7.5% with effect from 9 October 2019.  Some transitional measures for transactions in progress. 
• Introduction of anti-avoidance provisions to apply to REITs and IREFs.
• Help to buy scheme extended to end of 2021.

Indirect tax

• An increase from €20 per tonne to €26 per tonne in the rate of carbon tax which applies to auto fuels will take effect from midnight tonight and a similar increase will apply to other fuels from May 2020.
• The 1% diesel surcharge introduced last year is being replaced with a nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions-based charge, which will apply to passenger vehicles registering for the first time in Ireland from 1 January 2020.
• VRT relief for hybrid vehicles will be extended until the end of 2020 (and will be subject to CO2 emission levels).
• The Minister of Finance intends to increase the level of rebates payable to hauliers under the diesel rebate scheme, details of which will be included in the Finance Bill.
• A relief (capped at €50,000 per annum) from the amount of betting duty payable by independent bookmakers and betting exchanges/intermediaries will be introduced.
• Excise duty on a packet of 20 cigarettes will be increased by 50 cents (including VAT) from midnight 8 October 2019, with a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products.

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