FORMER Ireland rugby
captain Paul O'Connell and 2fm Breakfast Republic
presenter Jennifer Zamparelli are among over 200
individuals recently awarded tax-free status by the
Revenue Commissioners under the Artists’ Exemption
scheme.
The Munster sporting legend (37) was granted the
exemption on earnings from his top-selling
autobiography 'Paul O'Connell: The Battle' published
by Penguin last October.
The book was the runaway Christmas best-seller in
Ireland in 2016 and won Sports Book of the Year at
the annual Bord Gais Energy awards.
Zamparelli (37) received the tax-free boost for her
work on scripts for popular Irish sitcom 'Bridget
and Eamon', a Republic of Telly spin-off.
Meanwhile, 'Republic of Telly' sketch writers Danny
Kehoe and Sharon Mannion also received the
favourable tax designation for their comic
endeavours.
Broadcaster Aonghus McAnally (62) is also listed
under the ‘play’ category for his musical show
‘Celebrating Christie Hennessy’.
Irish crime drama 'Red Rock' also features with
tax-free status for scriptwriters John Condon,
Mairead Kiernan and Kim Revill. The TV3 hit series
is one of the country’s most successful television
exports after being picked up for prime slots by the
BBC and Amazon Prime.
RTE radio and TV star Ryan Tubridy appears for a
second time on the list for his "captivating"
children's book 'Patrick and the President'. The
44-year old broadcaster also received tax-free
status for his debut book 'JFK in Ireland: Four Days
that Changed a President' (2010).
Some 244 new additions under the Artists' Exemption
scheme were approved by Revenue in the first half of
this year including playwrights, painters,
composers, sculptors and debut novelists such as
Sally Rooney for her 'Conversations with Friends'
and Eithne Shortall for ‘Love in Row 27’.
A blanket tax exemption for artists was first
introduced by Taoiseach Charles Haughey in 1969.
A cap of €40,000 on annual earnings was introduced
in 2011 and increased to €50,000 in 2015. It is
understood the scheme could be revised further in
future budgets. |
