The Conservative led UK government announced an emergency budget today. The main points in the 2010 UK Budget are;

VAT to go up to 20% from 17.5%  – which will be good news for Irish businesses.

UK Capital gains tax for higher-rate taxpayers rises to 28%

Child benefit to be frozen for next three years

Two-year pay freeze for public sector workers

Tax credits reduced for families earning more than £40,000 and the Child element of child tax credit increased by £150 above inflation.

Housing benefit restricted to maximum £400 a week

Corporation tax cut to 27% in 2011  and then cut by 1%  a year for next three years to 24%

According to a written reply given by Brian Lenihan – the National Solidarity Bond – by Friday  11 June, had attracted investments of  €47 million from 1,800 customers.  That is an average of just over €26,000 per customer

The government launched the Solidarity Bond in  May 2010 – and it provides a  50% gross return over 10 years – which is  4.14% AER . After DIRT this comes to 3.96% AER.
There is currently  nationwide advertising for the bond on radio stations – trying to bring in more investment.

The NPPR charge was introduced in Ireland in July 2009 – and  it the 2010 NPPR charge can now be paid online .  See more details about NPPR here.
The liability date for 2010 and all future years is March 31st. The 2010 charge is €200 – the same as 2009.
So if you owned a property in Ireland on 31st March 2010  and it is not your main residence you will be liable for the NPPR charge.( Non principal private residences)

The charge must be paid  within two months of the liability date-  i.e before 31st May 2010   A late payment fee of €20 a month is payable after a further month has expired i.e three months after the liability date and one month after the last date for payment. There is a one month grace period – so
All charges paid after 30th June 2010 will attract a late payment fee of €20 a month.

Pay online at nppr.ie

Bank of Ireland have just increased the interest rates on their  “2 in1″ Mastercard and their Clear Credit Card
The “2in 1″ rate on purchases has risen from 13.9% to 14.9%. The interest rate on cash withdrawals with the 2 in 1 card has been increased by a third from   17.4% to 23.2% APR.
The interest rate on purchases for the BOI Clear card has increased from 9.5%  to 10.9% .
The AIB Click card now has the lowest interest rate on purchases – at 9.5% APR