Ireland’s Budget 2026 shows strong fiscal numbers but cautious delivery, raising questions about investment, growth, and infrastructure readiness.
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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