You save money on your USC
Rates
If your income is less than €10,036 you pay no Universal Social Charge (USC). Once your income is over this limit, you pay the USC on all of your income.
People aged under 70 (2012)
Rate of USC Income band
2% Up to €10,036
4% Between €10,036 and €16,016
7% Above €16,016
Medical card holders and people aged over 70 (2012)
Rate of USC Income band
2% Income up to €10,036
4% All income over €10,036
A full medical card (including a Health Amendment Act Card) allows you to qualify for the 4% rate. This does not apply to people who hold a GP Visit Card, a Drugs Payment Scheme Card, a European Health Insurance Card or a Long-term Illness Scheme Card. If a person reaches 70 years at any stage during the year they will benefit from the maximum 4% rate for the whole year.
Self-employed income over €100,000
An surcharge of 3% applies people who have income from self-employment above €100,000, regardless of age. This means that people under 70 who do not have a medical card pay USC of 10% on any self-employed income over €100,000. People over 70 or medical card holders pay 7%.
Note: Bonuses paid to employees of the five financial institutions that have received financial support from the State are chargeable to the USC at the rate of 45% on the full amount where the bonus exceeds €20,000 in a single tax year.