The annual levy imposed on banks that was due to expire at the end of 2016 has been extended for five years to 2021. Following a public consultation, the levy will be based on DIRT payments made by the financial institutions and will be charged at a higher rate of 59 per cent on the DIRT paid in a series of new base years. The base year for 2017 and 2018 will be 2015 and for 2019 and 2010 will be 2017 and for the year 2021, the base year will be 2019.