Balbriggan family taxed on RTE show

A BALBRIGGAN family has featured on George lee’s Tax Return, the TV show hosted by the popular economic pundit.

Susan and Shane Carey, who live in Balbriggan with their three children, illustrate the pressure many families find themselves under in the run up the next budget.

In the show broadcast on RTE One, George quizzes families on tax matters.

As the Dáil debates a Tax Transparency Bill which aims to give Irish taxpayers an annual account of how their taxes are spent, George meets Irish families wondering where their tax money goes and what they get in return.

Susan and Shane both work full time but struggle to meet crèche fees and travel expenses associated with working.

Susan is a financial analyst and suspects that it may make more financial sense to quit her job due to the social protection benefits available to single-income families.

She wants to do the best for her family and would like to continue working but in the programme she examines whether the tax and social protection system rewards those who don’t work.

Amid anxiety around this year’s budget, George asks how much of an individual’s tax deductions go towards repaying Ireland’s enormous bank debt.

Finance and economics experts examine Ireland’s outgoings and whether any of us can afford them. And a psychologist looks at Ireland’s particular approach to the concept of taxation and democracy.

In the lead up to the 2012 Budget, George Lee tries to find out where your tax Euros go once they leave your wallet.

The show goes out Monday, November 26 at 9.35pm on RTÃ? One but can also be watched on the RTE player.