Mortgage Interest relief

[Roundy]

I'm trying to get my head around MIR and am getting so lost. Would really appreciate any tax geniuses giving me a steer. My situation in a nutshell is as follows:
Bought my first house in 2002. Didnt get to live in it as there was loads of work to be done on it.
Bought another house in 2004 which was and still is my primary residence (or whatever they call it in tax world)
I have never claimed MIR for my main residence in 2004 and its never been registered for same
My many questions are -
1. am i due MIR?
2. As far as im reading online can i only claim for 4 years back from now?
3. How long will i get mir for - until 2017 i think?
4. Will i still be judged as a first time buyer for 2004 house as it was my main residence?
5. i got married in 2009 - should i tell them - will it affect claim?

Sorry for all the qs but ive been reading online and im just getting different views and nothing concrete. would really appreciate a proper view on this

 

[ClubMan]

My take on it...

Bought my first house in 2002. Didnt get to live in it as there was loads of work to be done on it.

So this was never your PPR (Principal Private Residence).

Bought another house in 2004 which was and still is my primary residence (or whatever they call it in tax world)

So you were a non first time buyer of this PPR.

I have never claimed MIR for my main residence in 2004 and its never been registered for same
My many questions are -
1. am i due MIR?

I believe that you should be entitled to non first time buyer mortgage interest relief on any loan(s) used to buy this property. I can't remember what relief was available in the past offhand but at least some of the details should be here:

www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/tax-relief-source-mortgage-interest-relief.html
http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/reliefs/tax-relief-source-mortgage-rates.html

I would imagine that you should just register for it now and see how the application goes.

2. As far as im reading online can i only claim for 4 years back from now?

I'm not sure if the usual 4 year limit on income tax claims applies here? Again maybe best to just stick in a claim and see how it goes. You can do it online from the link above.

3. How long will i get mir for - until 2017 i think?

Yes - until 2017.

4. Will i still be judged as a first time buyer for 2004 house as it was my main residence?

No.

5. i got married in 2009 - should i tell them - will it affect claim?

If your spouse is also on the mortgage then you may get more relief. In any case you may want to update Revenue independently as there may be some benefits to being taxed jointly as a married couple depending on your specific circumstances.

Hope this helps.

 

[Roundy]

Thanks a million Clubman for taking the time out to write up that detailed reply. Much appreciated. I was getting a bit confused about the primary residence bit and if it transferred to the 2nd house would it be deemed under the 2004 rules (i.e. get it until 2017)

I've applied now anyway and i think im just going to wait and see what they come back with

thanks again