Heather Humphreys won’t say if she paid an anti-vacancy tax on her unused residential property.
Humphreys has left the property unoccupied for the last 14 years, during which time the vacant homes tax was introduced – when Humphreys was in government – to discourage owners from leaving residential properties unoccupied.
The Ditch reported yesterday that Humphreys avoided paying business rates on her old constituency office after failing to declare she’s no longer entitled to an exemption.
“Fuck off and leave me alone” was what she told The Ditch in 2023 when asked about the property.
Humphreys however refused to respond
Heather Humphreys bought 79 Market Street, Cootehill in 2011 after her election as a TD earlier that year.
The upper floors of the property contain a two-bedroom unit according to local authority documents – though unique Eircodes for two separate flats have been allocated.
Humphreys has been liable to pay a vacant homes tax under legislation introduced in 2022.
She’s liable because the first and second floor of the residential property is not used as a dwelling for at least 30 days a year.
The charge, linked to the local property tax, has increased annually since 2023 to discourage vacancy. Owners are required to self-declare their liability for payment.
The former justice minister was required to pay the Revenue €309 in November 2023 and €515 in 2024. A further payment of €721 is due next month.
Humphreys however refused to respond to a request for comment asking if she’d paid the tax.