As you are aware, an annual self-assessed Local Property Tax (LPT) charged on the market value of all residential properties in the State will come into effect from 1 July 2013. In order to implement this Revenue have issued notifications of LPT estimates and LPT returns to all property owners.

If by now you have not received a LPT notification:

At this point if you have not received a LPT notification either by letter or electronically through Revenue On-Line Service (ROS) you must either go to the Revenue website:  www.Revenue.ie, click 'Login to LPT Online' and then go to the tab 'I have not received a property PIN'. Otherwise, you can contact the LPT Helpline on 1890 200 255.

Important dates:

• 1  May  - Property valuation and property ownership (liability) date
• 7 May - Due date for filing paper LPT returns
• 28 May - Due date for filing LPT returns electronically
• 1 July - Commencement of phased payments, i.e. if you are paying by deduction at source, from salary, pension or making cash payments
• 15 July - Commencement of payments if you are paying by direct debit
• 21 July - Bank Single Debit Authority deducted (single authorisation to pay specified amount)

Your responsibility as a property owner:

• Liable property owners must self-assess the value of their property and determine the LPT to be paid.
• Liable property owners must send the return containing the self-assessed value of their house, along with their chosen payment option to Revenue in accordance with the above deadlines.

The following property owners must file and pay electronically:

• Those who own more than one residential property
• Those who are already required to submit tax returns and pay electronically to Revenue
• Any company that owns residential property
• Self-employed property owners who are ROS filers and who have a personal digital certificate will receive notification of their LPT obligations in their ROS inbox and will need to file online.

If you fail to submit a return:

If a liable person fails to submit a return, Revenue will seek to collect the estimate. Penalties and interest may apply for failure to submit a return or knowingly undervaluing their property to reduce the LPT payable.

Where a self-employed person fails to file the LPT return or pay the LPT liability (or enter into a payment arrangement with Revenue) a surcharge on income tax returns may be applied by Revenue and you may have difficulty obtaining a Tax Clearance Certificate.