Permanent 9% VAT rate for qualifying apartments aims to boost housing supply, improve development viability, and support residential construction projects.
How will Budget 2026 affect you and your family?
Budget 2026 was announced on October 7 2025. Discover how it can affect both you and your family.
Summary
Average Wage Single - €36k
| Scenario | Single, average wage, no children. Employment income €36k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€3,200
|
€3,200
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€626
|
€613
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€1,485
|
€1,526
|
(€41)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€5,311
|
€5,338
|
(€27)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€30,689
|
€30,662
|
(€27)
|
High Income Single - €100k
| Scenario | Single, high income, no children. Self-employed income €100k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€27,200
|
€27,200
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€4,044
|
€4,030
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€4,125
|
€4,238
|
(€113)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€35,369
|
€35,468
|
(€99)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€64,631
|
€64,532
|
(€99)
|
Single Parent - €50k
| Scenario | Single parent entitled to single person child carer tax credit, 1 child. Gross employment income €50k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€4,500
|
€4,500
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€1,046
|
€1,033
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€2,063
|
€2,119
|
(€56)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€7,609
|
€7,652
|
(€43)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€42,392
|
€42,348
|
(€43)
|
Average Income Family - 2 Earners
| Scenario | Married, average wage x2, one dependent parent. Partner 1: employment income €36k. Partner 2: employment income €26k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€4,095
|
€4,095
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€966
|
€953
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€2,558
|
€2,627
|
(€70)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€7,618
|
€7,675
|
(€57)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€54,382
|
€54,325
|
(€57)
|
Self-Employed - €150k
| Scenario | Married, one earner. Partner 1: self-employment income €150k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€41,450
|
€41,450
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€9,544
|
€9,530
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€6,188
|
€6,356
|
(€169)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€57,181
|
€57,337
|
(€155)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€92,819
|
€92,663
|
(€155)
|
High Income Family - 2 Earners (Self-employed)
| Scenario | Married, High Income family, 2 children. Partner 1: employment income €50k, Partner 2: self-employed income €100k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€34,400
|
€34,400
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€5,090
|
€5,063
|
€27
|
|
PRSI
|
€6,188
|
€6,356
|
(€169)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€45,677
|
€45,820
|
(€142)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€104,323
|
€104,181
|
(€142)
|
High Income Family - 2 Earners
| Scenario | Married, High Income Family, 2 children. Partner 1: emploment income €70k, Partner 2: employment income €130k |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€54,400
|
€54,400
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€8,090
|
€8,063
|
€27
|
|
PRSI
|
€8,250
|
€8,475
|
(€225)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€70,740
|
€70,938
|
(€198)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€129,260
|
€129,062
|
(€198)
|
Squeezed Middle Income Families
| Scenario | Squeezed middle income families. Partner 1: employment income €45K, Partner 2: employment income €45K | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€10,400
|
€10,400
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€1,792
|
€1,766
|
€26
|
|
PRSI
|
€3,713
|
€3,814
|
(€101)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€15,905
|
€15,979
|
(€75)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€74,096
|
€74,021
|
(€75)
|
*Not reflecting any changes to Employee PRSI which may apply from 7 October 2025.
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