Universal Social Charge (USC)
Standard rates and thresholds of USC
The standard rates and thresholds of USC are:
Standard rates and thresholds of USC for 2018
| 2018 | Rate |
|---|
| First €12,012 |
0.5% |
| Next €7,360 |
2% |
| Next €50,672 |
4.75% |
| Balance |
8% |
Standard rates and thresholds of USC for 2017
| 2017 | Rate |
|---|
| First €12,012 |
0.5% |
| Next €6,760 |
2.5% |
| Next €51,272 |
5% |
| Balance |
8% |
Standard rates and thresholds of USC for 2016
| 2016 | Rate |
|---|
| First €12,012 |
1% |
| Next €6,656 |
3% |
| Next €51,376 |
5.5% |
| Balance |
8% |
Standard rates and thresholds of USC for 2015
| 2015 | Rate |
|---|
| First €12,012 |
1.5% |
| Next €5,564 |
3.5% |
| Next €52,468 |
7% |
| Balance |
8% |
Standard rates and thresholds of USC for 2011 - 2014
| 2011 - 2014 | Rate |
|---|
| First €10,036 |
2% |
| Next €5,980 |
4% |
| Balance |
7% |
Other Rates of USC
Non-PAYE income above €100,000
There is a USC surcharge of 3% if your non-PAYE income is more than €100,000 a year.
Certain bank bonuses
A special USC rate of 45% applies to certain bonuses paid to employees of banks and building societies that have received financial support from the government - these include:
- Allied Irish Bank
- Anglo Irish Bank
- Bank of Ireland
- Educational Building Society
- Irish Nationwide Building Society
If the payments are €20,000 or less in a year, the standard rates of USC apply.
If the payments are more than €20,000 in a year, the full amount is charged at 45% USC.
Property relief surcharge
An additional 5% rate of USC applies to taxable income that is 'sheltered' by any of the property or area-based incentive reliefs. This includes all of the property-based capital allowances and the relief for residential lessors known as 'section 23-type' relief. The surcharge applies to:
- capital allowances made in or carried forward to the tax year 2012 and any later tax year
- any losses carried forward to 2012 or a later year that are due to section 23-type relief.
The property relief surcharge does not apply if your gross income is less than €100,000.
Next: Reduced rates of USC