Rise in threshold for higher income tax rate - Harris

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris will today commit to increasing the threshold at which workers pay the higher rate of income tax in each of the next four budgets.

At a Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting in Gorey, Co Wexford, Mr Harris will say that Budget 2027 will mark the start of a trajectory on tax cuts.

In a speech entitled “Turning Economic Strength into Everyday Security”, the minister will say that he intends to anchor tax policy over four years to give certainty to workers, households and businesses.

The Fine Gael leader will pledge four budgets of increasing the threshold at which people pay the higher rate of income tax and ensuring work always pays.

“I want to anchor tax policy and give people certainty, whether for their households or their businesses, that this is the direction of travel,” Mr Harris will say.

“People who work hard should see the benefit in their take-home pay and people who have worked hard should be able to live in this country with a sense of security.

“We will reduce the burden of income tax, support families with more affordable childcare and ensure those who go to work every day get a little help in their day-to-day lives,” he will add.

The Tánaiste will also focus on tackling crime, saying Fine Gael remains the party of law and order and that the first duty of government is to protect its citizens.

“We need to see safer streets, stronger communities and a justice system that works.

“As our population grows, we must ensure that garda numbers, prison capacity and the wider justice system grow with it,” Mr Harris will say.