Councillors to consider 10 per cent property tax hike today

Westmeath homeowners could see major hikes in their property tax for 2018 if a proposal coming before councillors at today's County Council meeting is approved.

At their meeting this afternoon (Monday), councillors are to be asked to agree to a 10 per cent hike in the charge for the coming year.

For those whose houses are valued at more than €200,001, a ten per cent hike will bring the annual charge to €445.50 per annum.

However, for the largest group of homeowners – the 38.9 per cent whose homes are valued at less than €100,001, the hike would mean just an extra €9 on their existing payment of €90 per annum.

The second highest category in terms of numbers is that of properties valued at between €100,001-€150,000, which accounts for 36.8 per cent of the properties in Westmeath.

For those, a 10 per cent increase will see their payment rise by €22.50 to €247.50 per year.

Some 17.1 per cent of Westmeath's homes are valued at between €150,001 and €200,000 and they would be hit with a hike of €31.50, which would leave their 2018 payment at €346.50.

Just 6.6 per cent of the houses in the county are valued at greater than €200,001.