The Arts Council of Ireland has welcomed news that the artists’ tax exemption scheme is to remain, but says it is disappointed that the exemption is to be capped at €250 000 in any one tax year. The Chair of the Arts Council, Olive Braiden said: “While we are pleased that the Government recognises that the majority of the scheme’s beneficiaries struggle for financial viability year on year, and that these artists can still benefit from the exemption, we are disappointed that an upper limit cap has been put in place. The scheme in itself is limited - as it applies to composers, visual artists and writers and their creative work – it does not apply to actors, musicians and choreographers. The news this afternoon that it is to be restricted even further is not welcome”. Mary Cloake, Director of the Arts Council said: “Artists have a unique place in society and the introduction of this tax exemption was an enlightened acknowledgement of that. Today’s news that the scheme is to be capped suggests an incomplete understanding of the inconsistent nature of artists earnings, with even the most commercially successful of artists having very lean years when earnings are close to zero. €250,000 earned in a very successful year may be the only income an artist has for five, eight or ten years”. For more information, CLICK HERE.