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Finance Bill 2025, Increased Revenue Powers, Income Tax and Corporation Tax

The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, published Finance Bill 2025 today, 16th October 2025, giving effect to the tax measures announced in Budget 2026 of last week.

Section 31 of the Bill introduces a new Section 959AX TCA 1997 to Part 41A TCA 1997.

This legislation gives the Revenue Commissioners the authority to estimate corporate and income tax liabilities and serve notice in writing specifying the estimated tax due in circumstances where the taxpayer fails to file the required Tax Return within the specified return date. The estimated figure will be based on the higher of (i) the average amount of tax due on the two most recent tax returns, or (ii) €1,000.

Section 90 of the Bill amends the wording in Section 811C (4)(a) TCA 1997 

This strengthens Revenue’s powers to counteract tax avoidance by expanding the scope of the legislation.  The amendment extends and enhances the Revenue Commissioners’ authority to withdraw or deny, at any time, tax advantages arising from tax avoidance transactions.  It specifically pertains to situations where an individual either takes or fails to take any other action, which directly or indirectly, seeks to obtain a tax advantage as a result of a tax avoidance transaction.

Section 93 of the Bill amends Section 638A TCA 1997.  

This extends the transfer of rights and obligations under company mergers or divisions to include those arising under Part 4A TCA 1997. It provides that the Pillar Two compliance obligations, including tax payments and filings, will transfer to the successor company or companies, under a merger or division.

Section 94 of the Bill amends Section 869 TCA 1997

As you’re aware, Section 879 TCA 1997 provides that the Revenue Commissioners may issue a notification to a taxpayer requesting that individual to deliver a tax return, in any tax year. Section 94 of the Bill amends Section 869 TCA 1997 allowing Revenue to issue such Income Tax Return Notices electronically i.e. via MyAccount or ROS.

Section 95 of the bill amends Section 959AA of the TCA 1997

This amendment expands the Revenue Commissioners’ power to make or revise a tax assessment outside the standard four year time limit, so as to give effect to a Mutual Agreement Procedure outcome under a Tax Information Exchange Agreement, by virtue of section 826(1B) TCA 1997. Currently, under existing rules, a Revenue officer is allowed to make such an extended assessment in circumstances where a MAP is reached under a double taxation agreement.

Section 98 amends Section 959I TCA 1997

Section 98 amends Section 959I TCA 1997 by inserting a new subsection 6 to clarify that a “chargeable person” may still make a claim for an allowance, deduction or relief even where that tax return is filed after the specified deadline date, unless, another provision in the Taxes Acts explicitly prevents the making of such a late claim.

For further information, please click: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/press-releases/minister-donohoe-publishes-finance-bill-2025/

If you have received a notification of a level 1 or 2 Revenue Compliance Intervention or a level 3 Investigation into your or your company’s tax affairs, and wish to deal with a Revenue Compliance Tax Specialist, please contact us.  We also carry out tax health checks for companies and individuals to assist in identifying potential areas of exposure. For a full professional taxation advice and compliance service from qualified and experienced Chartered Tax Advisors, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Payroll Taxes. Employee and Employer Taxes. Pension Auto-enrolment. Benefit-in-Kind (BIK)

Budget 2026 was announced on Tuesday, 7^th October 2025.  From 1^st January 2026, the National Minimum Wage for people aged twenty and over will increase, by 65 cents, to €14.15 per hour.  Other changes for employees and employers include the following:

Small Benefit Exemption

• The Small Benefits Exemption enables employers to provide tax-free benefits of up to €1,500, per employee, per year.  The benefit must be in the form of a voucher which can only be redeemed in exchange for goods and services.  In other words, this exemption from PAYE, USC and PRSI only applies to benefits that cannot be exchanged for cash, such as gift vouchers or store cards.

• Please be aware that the Small Benefit Exemption cannot be combined with salary sacrifice arrangements.

For further information, please click: https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-05/05-01-01e.pdf

PRSI Changes

• Employee and Employer PRSI rates will increase by a further 0.15% on 1st October 2026.

• From 1^st October 2026, the employee PRSI rate will increase to 4.35%.

• The employer PRSI rate will increase to 9.15% where weekly income is €552 or less.

• For weekly salaries/wages in excess of €552, employer’s PRSI will increase to 11.40%.

For further information, please click: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/cb168977/PRSI_C20260116_Contribution_Rates_and_User_Guide_-_SW_14_-_English_Version_-_January_2026_.pdf-web.pdf

USC changes

From 1st January 2026, the 2% Universal Social Charge threshold will increase to €28,700.  This is in line with the increase in the national minimum wage. Therefore, If you earn €28,700 or under, your USC rate remains at 2%.

The amount of income liable to the 3%USC rate reduces from €42,662 to €41,344.

The 2% USC rate will continue to apply until 31st December 2027 for individuals holding a full medical card and whose total income for the year is €60,000 or less.

For further information, please click: https://www.revenue.ie/en/jobs-and-pensions/usc/standard-rates-thresholds.aspx

Benefit-in-Kind

• The universal reduction of €10,000 to the Original Market Value of company cars in categories A-D as well as to all vans, will remain for 2026, then reduce to €5,000 in 2027, €2,500 in 2028 and won’t apply in 2029.

• From 1^st January 2026 a new vehicle category (A1) is being created for zero-emission cars. BIK on category A1 cars will be calculated at between 6% and 15% of the cars OMV, subject to business mileage.

• From 1^st January 2026, the highest mileage band for the Benefit-in-Kind calculation will be reduced to 48,001 km.

For further information, please click: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

Auto-enrolment

From 1^st January 2026, the Pension Auto-enrolment scheme will start.

The National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority automatically will determine eligibility based on Revenue payroll data.  Briefly:

• Employees aged between 23 and 60 years, who earn in excess of €20,000 per year and who are not already part of a workplace pension scheme (with payroll contributions) will be automatically enrolled into this system.

• Employees earning under €20,000 per year can opt in voluntarily.

• Currently self-employed individuals are not eligible for this scheme.

• From 1^st January 2026, employees and employers will each pay 1.5% of the gross salary into the scheme. This will be the case for three years.  After that the contributions will go up to 3% (in years 4 to 6), then 4.5% (in years 7 to 9) and then 6% from year 10.

• In addition to the employee and employer contributions, the government will top up the employee’s contribution. From 1^st January 2026, for every €3 an employee contributes, the employer will also pay in €3 with the State then topping it up by €1.  In other words, the government will top up the employee’s contribution by 1/3^rd.

• Employees can only opt out after six months of enrolment. If they decide to opt out their employee contributions are refunded. Employer and state contributions, however, will remain in their pension fund.

• Automatic re-enrolment into the scheme will occur after two years provided the eligibility criteria still apply.

For further information, please click: https://myfuturefund.ie/

Accounts Advice Centre Employment tax services work with our valued clients to ensure that all payroll compliance obligations are met in the most timely and cost effective manner possible.  We specialise in payroll, employee tax services and director tax services.  For further information and to deal with Payroll/Employment Tax Specialists, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Tax Credits. Budget 2026 Ireland. Income Tax. Personal Taxes. Tax Reliefs

Budget 2026 introduced a wide range of updates across Ireland’s tax system. The following Tax Credits and Reliefs are being extended:

1. The Rent Tax Credit is being extended for a further three years.  It is due to expire at the end of 2028.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/rent-credit/index.aspx

2. The income tax deduction for landlords retrofitting properties is extended for another three years.  It is available for works carried out up to 31st December 2028.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/property/rental-income/deduction-for-retrofitting-expenditure/index.aspx

3. The Income Tax Exemption for households which sell electricity from micro-generation back to the grid is extended for a further three years to 31st December 2028.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-07/07-01-44.pdf

4. The Mortgage Interest Tax Relief is being extended for a further two years. Relief will be available at the standard Income Tax rate, with the maximum 2025 relief capped at €1,250 per property and €625 per property for 2026.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/land-and-property/mortgage/index.aspx

5. The USC Concession for medical card holders will be extended until 31st December 2027.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

6. The €5,000 Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) Relief for new electric vehicles is extended until 31st December 2026.

For further information, please click link: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-finance/speeches/statement-by-minister-donohoe-on-budget-2026/

7. Employee Benefit-in-Kind Relief for employer provided vehicles (for cars in categories A-D and to all vans) is to be extended, on a tapered basis, until the end of 2028.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

8. Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) has been extended by 5 years to 2030.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

9. Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP) has been extended to 31st December 2028 subject to approval from the European Commission.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

10.Foreign Earnings Deduction (FED) has been extended by 5 years to 2030.

For further information, please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

Accounts Advice Centre provides a top tier level service for all personal income tax matters, from filing tax returns to offering specialist advice on complex taxation issues. We have over thirty years experience providing expert tax advice, tailored for individuals and their families. For a full professional taxation advice and compliance service, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Budget 2026. Business Taxes. Corporation Tax. R&D Tax Credits. Corporate Taxation. Capital Gains Tax.

Today, Tuesday, 7^th October 2025, the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers presented Budget 2026.  In this series of articles, we have outlined some of the tax changes which we consider most relevant under the following headings (a) Personal Tax, (b) Business Taxes including Capital Gains Tax, (c) VAT, (d) Housing/Property, (e) Agri-taxation, (f) Investments and (g) Global Mobility and Employment.

BUSINESS TAXES

• As you’re aware, the Revised Entrepreneur Relief provides for a 10% rate of Capital Gains Tax on certain gains arising from the disposal of qualifying business assets. Previously, the lifetime limit was €1 million.  Today, the Minister announced that the lifetime limit on capital gains qualifying for CGT Revised Entrepreneur Relief will be increased to €1.5 million, from 1^st January 2026.

• A new exemption from the 1% stamp duty on acquisitions/transfers of shares in Irish registered companies is being introduced. It will apply to the shares of companies with a market capitalisation of below €1 billion that are admitted for trading on certain regulated markets. It will replace the existing stamp duty exemption for companies trading on the Euronext Growth Market.  The exemption is set to expire on 31^st December 2030.

• Previously, Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) was an income tax exemption for assignees of 30% of their relevant employment income between €100,000 and €1 million, provided certain criteria were met.  Budget 2026 extended the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) for a further five years, to 31^st December 2030.   From 1^st January 2026, in order to qualify, new claimants of the Relief must have a minimum annual salary of €125,000.   This amendment will not affect existing claimants.  They can continue to avail of SARP, as before, in 2026 and further relevant years.  Finance Bill 2025 is expected to outline the simplification of certain relevant administrative requirements.

• Foreign Earnings Deduction (FED) relief has been increased to €50,000 from 1^st January 2026 and extended for a further five years, to 31^st December 2030.  The Philippines and Turkey have been included in the list of qualifying countries.  Finance Bill 2025 is expected to outline administrative amendments.

• The Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP), which was due to expire on 31^st December 2025.  Finance Bill 2025, however, will provide for an extension to this Income Tax exemption until the end of 2028, subject to European Commission approval.  KEEP provides for an exemption from Income Tax, Universal Social Charge and PRSI for any gain arising on the exercise of a share option by a qualifying individual in a qualifying company.

• Budget 2026 announced that the Research & Development (R&D) tax credit will rise to 35%.  The first year payment threshold will increase from €75,000 to €87,500.  An administrative simplification measure was also announced. This will allow 100% of an R&D employee’s emoluments as qualifying costs where at least 95% of that individual’s time is spent on qualifying R&D activities.  This update will provide more certainty and a reduction in administration for companies.

• The Digital Games Tax Credit, which provides for a 32% credit on qualifying expenditure up to €25 million, is being extended by six years to 31^st December 2031. Eligibility is being expanded to allow claims in relation to certain post‑release activities which are subject to qualifying conditions as well as EU approval.

• The Section 481 Film Tax Credit, which currently provides for a 32% credit on qualifying expenditure up to €125 million on certain productions, has been enhanced to provide a new 40% rate for productions with a minimum of €1m of eligible expenditure on relevant visual effects work, up to a maximum of €10 million eligible expenditure per production.  As the Film Tax Credit is an approved State aid, the enhancement measure will be subject to EU approval.

• Finance Act 2024 introduced a Participation Exemption for foreign dividends received, on or after 1^st January 2025, from subsidiaries in EU/EEA and double tax treaty partner jurisdictions.  Today, the Minister announced that several changes to the exemption will be provided for in Finance Bill 2025.  These include (i) broadening the geographic scope beyond dividends paid from subsidiaries in the EU/EEA and double tax treaty partners to include qualifying dividends received from jurisdictions that apply a non-refundable dividend withholding tax.  Other changes include (ii) reducing the period for which companies must have been resident in a jurisdiction within the geographic scope of the relief from five to three years, before paying a dividend, as well as (iii) providing clarification that the acquisition of a shareholding is not deemed to be the acquisition of a business asset for the purposes of the exemption.

• Following an extensive consultation, an action plan for the reform of Ireland’s taxation regime for interest was published today.  The primary request of stakeholders, arising from public consultation, was for a fundamental reform of the framework for the taxation and deductibility of interest.  The Action Plan sets out the timeline for phase one and nine other areas for potential reform under future phases are identified.  The main proposals put forward include: (a) an alignment of the tax treatment between trading and passive interest income, (b) the introduction of a renewed and simplified test for the deductibility of interest for corporation tax purposes as well as (c) the widening of the scope of interest deductibility to include ‘interest equivalents’.

• An extension to the Accelerated Capital Allowances schemes for energy efficient equipment until 31^st December 2030 was announced today.  This provides for an accelerated deduction of 100% in year one for business expenditure incurred on certain energy efficient equipment.

• The Accelerated Capital Allowances Scheme for Gas Vehicles and Refuelling Equipment was also extended to 31^st December 2023.

• The Minister announced that a public consultation on withholding tax will be launched soon to explore opportunities to modernise, digitalise and further expand the scope of withholding taxes.  A joint Department of Finance and Revenue public consultation is expected to be launched soon.

For further information, please click: https://www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/press-office/budget-information/current-year/budget-summary.pdf

At Accounts Advice Centre, we provide accurate and professional tax advice so you have the full and complete information you need to make the right decisions for you and your business.  We ensure your accounts and tax returns comply with the correct accounting standards and tax requirements.   To discuss what we can do for you with a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Budget 2026. Income Tax. Personal Taxation. Analysis of Income Tax Reliefs and Excemptions.

Today, Tuesday, 7^th October 2025, the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitalisation, Jack Chambers presented Budget 2026.  In this series of articles, we have outlined some of the tax changes that we consider most relevant under the following headings (a) Personal Tax, (b) Business Taxes, (c) VAT, (d) Housing/Property, (e) Agri-taxation, (f) Investments and (g) Global Mobility and Employment.

PERSONAL TAX

No increases to the income tax rate bands and tax credits

• Unlike in previous recent Budgets, there were no increases to the income tax rate bands and tax credits announced in Budget 2026.  However, there will be a reduction in the tax rate, from 41% to 38%, in relation to certain investments including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), certain Irish domiciled funds, certain life assurance policies, equivalent offshore funds and certain foreign life assurance policies

Universal Social Charge

• The reduced Universal Social Charge for qualifying medical card holders will be extended until 31^st December 2027.  This applies to medical card holders earning less than €60,000 per year.  This ensures that such individuals continue to pay a reduced USC rate of 0.5% on the first €12,012 of their income with 2% on the balance.

National Minimum Wage

• From 1^st January 2026, the National Minimum Wage will increase to €14.15.  The 2% USC rate band will increase from €27,382 to €28,700.  This means that the salary of a full-time employee on the minimum wage will remain outside the 3% rate of USC.  Incomes of less than €13,000 continue to remain exempt from USC.

Rent Tax Credit (RTC)

• The Rent Tax Credit (RTC), which was due to expire on 31^st December 2025, has been extended for three more years to 31^st December 2028.  The maximum value of the RTC will remain at €1,000 for single individuals and €2,000 for jointly assessed couples or civil partners.

Mortgage Interest Relief

• Mortgage Interest Relief has been extended to 31^st December 2026. It will remain at current levels for 2025, however, it will reduce by 50% for 2026.  As you’re aware, this tax credit can be claimed for taxpayers who have made increased mortgage interest payments in relation to a qualifying loan for a principal private residence in 2025 when compared to 2022. For 2025 the relief is capped €6,250 per property.  This equates to a maximum tax credit of €1,250.  For 2026, the maximum tax credit of €625 will be available, based on the increase in interest paid in 2026 as compared to the mortgage interest paid in 2022.  There is no change to the qualifying criteria and the relief remains available to homeowners with an outstanding mortgage balance of between €80,000 and €500,000, as of 31^st December 2022.

Auto Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings Scheme

• The Finance Bill 2025 will include additional amendments to the tax treatment for the Auto Enrolment (AE) Retirement Savings Scheme which will address the tax treatment of AE retirement savings on the participant’s death as well as exempt AE provider schemes from Investment Undertaking Tax and exempt employer AE contributions from USC.

Micro-generation

• For, households that sell electricity back to the grid from micro-generation, the Income Tax relief that exempts income of up to €400 per annum, is extended, for three years, up to 31^st December 2028.

Benefit-in-Kind Relief

• As you may remember, in Finance Act 2023, a temporary universal reduction to the Original Market Value of some vehicles for the purposes of calculating BIK was introduced.  This temporary universal relief of €10,000 applied to the Original Market Value of vehicles in Category A to D.  Budget 2026 extended this Benefit-in-Kind Relief by one year i.e. this relief will remain at €10,000 for 2026.  It will then reduce to €5,000 in 2027 and €2,500 in 2028.  It will be abolished from 2029.

• From 1^st January 2026, there will be a new vehicle category (A1) for employer provided vehicles with zero-emissions, for Benefit in Kind purposes.   It will apply with BIK rates of between 6% to 15% from 2026, depending on business mileage.  Where an employee undertakes high business mileage, the lower threshold of the upper mileage band will be permanently reduced from 52,001km to 48,001km.

Uilleann Pipes and Irish Harps

• Finally, for those involved in the manufacture of Uilleann Pipes and Irish Harps, the exemption from Income Tax of a maximum profit of €20,000 generated from the manufacture, maintenance and repair of uilleann pipes and early Irish harps is being extended for three years to 31^st December 2028.

For further information, please click: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/publications/your-guide-to-budget-2026/

Accounts Advice Centre provides a tax advisory and compliance service tailored to the needs of our diverse client base, their families as well as collaborating with their advisors.  With over thirty years’ experience in domestic and international tax, we provide an efficient service to ensure that you meet all deadlines and are not exposed to an unnecessary tax interest and penalties.  To discuss what we can do for you, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Gift and Inheritance Tax Ireland. Capital Acquisitions Tax. Dwelling House Relief. Dwelling House Exemption.

In general terms, Capital Acquisitions Tax is the Irish gift or inheritance tax arising on a benefit taken by or from an Irish resident individual. It also applies if a gift or inheritance includes Irish property, regardless of the residence of the person, either taking or giving the benefit.   It’s important to bear in mind that Capital Acquisitions Tax or CAT is paid by the beneficiary.  No CAT arises between spouses or civil partners.

Today, Revenue updated their guidance material on exemptions relating to dwellings in the form of a fourteen page document.  For full information, please click links:

https://www.revenue.ie/en/gains-gifts-and-inheritance/cat-exemptions/dwelling-house/index.aspx

https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/capital-acquisitions-tax/cat-manual/part-09-exemptions/section-86-exemption-relating-to-certain-dwellings.pdf

As you’re aware, the rules differ for gifts and inheritances.  For example, under the Dwelling House Relief, an individual can inherit a property tax free, provided that person:

1. has been living in the property for a minimum of three years prior to the date of inheritance,

2. does not own or have an interest in another residential property at the date of the inheritance,

3. continues to occupy the property as their main residence for six years from the date of the inheritance, unless the beneficiary is aged sixty five years or more at the date of inheritance.

Other points to consider are:

• the dwelling house must have been occupied by the disponer (i.e. the person giving the property) as their only or main residence at the date of their death.

• Relief is not available if the beneficiary holds a beneficial interest in another dwelling at the date of inheritance.

• The Dwelling House Exemption will not be available if the same beneficiary acquires an interest in another dwelling house from the same disponer, after the “date of inheritance” and right up to the date the estate is distributed.

For gifts of a dwelling house, however, the exemption requirements are different.  From 25^th December 2016 onwards, the exemption no longer applies to gifts of dwelling houses, unless the gift is made to a “dependent relative” of the donor.  This effectively means that a gift of a dwelling house given to a dependent relative of a donor will be exempt provided the recipient of the gift is either (a) permanently and totally incapacitated from maintaining themself due to a physical or mental infirmity or (b) is aged at least 65 years. It’s important to keep in mind that for such gifts to qualify for the tax exemption, the donor does not need to live in the property as their principal residence.  In addition to the above requirements, the following qualifying conditions for a gift apply:

You will be exempt from Capital Acquisitions Tax  on receipt of a gift of a dwelling house if, at the date of the gift:

1. the dwelling house was your main home for the previous three years,

2. you do not own or have an interest in any other dwelling house, and

3. the dwelling house continues to be your only/main home for at least six years from the date of the gift, unless you are aged at least 65 years at the date of the gift or are required to live elsewhere because of a mental or physical infirmity.  This must be certified by a medical doctor.

For completeness, the term “relative” is defined as a lineal ancestor, lineal descendant, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece/nephew of the giver or the spouse/civil partner of the giver.

Accounts Advice Centre provides a full and comprehensive tax advisory and compliance service.  If you require specialist inheritance or gift tax advice, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Corporation Tax Returns. CT1 Forms. Business Tax Advisors. Tax Deadline

On 27th August 2025, Revenue updated the The Tax and Duty Manual Part 38-02-01 to include links to the following Tax and Duty Manuals:

1. Completion of Corporation Tax Returns Form CT1 2024
2. Completion of Corporation Tax Returns Form CT1 2023

If you require assistance filing your CT1 Forms, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

PAYE Exclusion Orders. Employers Tax. Global Mobility. Payroll Taxes

Today, 11th August 2025, Revenue have amended their Tax and Duty Manual Part 42-04-01 – PAYE Exclusion Orders.

This guidance material provides details of the new PAYE Exclusion Order application portal, which may be accessed through MyAccount or ROS.  This new application system will allow for faster processing times.

If you require assistance with payroll and in particular with PAYE Exclusion Orders, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Income Tax Return Deadline. ROS Pay and file. Form 11 Personal Tax Returns

Revenue eBrief No. 156/25 was published on 7th August 2025.

Tax and Duty Manual Part 38-06-01a has been updated to contain the following:

• A link to access further information on Revenue’s new agent eLinking facility is provided in paragraph 6.5.1.
• Paragraph 7.1.2 states that payments via Commercial Debit Cards will no longer be accepted from 1st September 2025.
• Paragraph 8.8 provides some information as well as a link to access further details ion the Residential Premises Rental Income Relief (RPRIR).
• Paragraph 8.9 provides information as well as a link to further details is provided on the Retrofitting Rental Properties Relief (RRPR).

If an individual was tax compliant as at 31st December 2024, they can claim the RPRIR for 2024 provided:

• the individual holds a Tax Clearance Certificate at the time their 2024 income tax return is filed and
• the other conditions required to claim the relief are satisfied.

For further information, please click: https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-38/38-06-01a.pdf

If you require assistance filing your Form 11 Income Tax Return, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.

Research and Development, R&D Tax Credit, Corporation Tax. Revenue Audits

The Research and Development Tax Credit provides a 30% tax credit for all qualifying R&D expenditure.  It increased from 25% to 30% for accounting periods commencing on or after 1^st January 2024.  There is expected to be a further increase in Budget 2026.  It’s important to keep in mind that this tax credit is available in addition to the corporation tax deduction available for expenditure incurred on R&D.  Therefore, this can result in an effective tax saving of 42½%; being a 12½% corporation tax deduction plus a 30% R&D tax credit.

So, what is Research and Development (R&D)?

The Revenue Commissioners have outlined criteria, in their guidelines, to enable companies determine whether their activities qualify for the tax credit.

According to Revenue’s most recent guidance material, “to qualify for the R&D Tax Credit, a company’s R&D activities must:

1. involve systematic, investigative or experimental activities

2. be in the field of science or technology

3. involve one, or more, of the following categories of R&D:

• basic research
• applied research
• experimental development

4. seek to make scientific or technological advancement and

5. involve the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainty.”

For further information please click https://www.revenue.ie/en/tax-professionals/tdm/income-tax-capital-gains-tax-corporation-tax/part-29/29-02-03.pdf

Qualifying R&D expenditure includes:

• qualifying operational R&D costs and

• qualifying R&D plant and equipment costs

• There is also a separate R&D tax credit in relation to buildings and structures.

Recent Amendments

• On 13^th January 2025, Revenue updated their guidance material. Section 766C TCA 1997 was amended to increase the first instalment threshold amount from €50,000 to €75,000, in relation to accounting periods commencing on/after 1^st January 2025.

• On 7^th July 2025, Revenue released a four part video, providing guidance on how to complete the R&D panels in the 2024 CT1 Form.

R&D Video Guidance

Did you know that the Revenue Commissioners have released a four part guideline video on the completion of the Research & Development (R&D) panels on the Form CT1 2024?

The videos focus on:

1. Part 1 shows you how to correctly complete the sections for grants and subcontractor costs.

2. Part 2 shows you how to complete the relevant panels on the Form CT1 in relation to instalments from 2022 and 2023. It also covers how to claim for carried forward amounts under section 766(4B) TCA 1997.

3. Part 3 shows you how to make claims under section 766C TCA 1997.

4. Part 4 shows you how to claim group relief. It also outlines some of the common errors in the R&D panels that may arise when completing the 2024 Form CT1.

Please click link: https://www.revenue.ie/en/companies-and-charities/reliefs-and-exemptions/research-and-development-rd-tax-credit/how-to-videos.aspx

Based on our professional experience, in recent years, the Revenue Commissioners are increasingly carrying out audits in relation to a R&D tax credit claims.  Accounts Advice Centre provides a full and comprehensive audit support service.  For further information, please contact us at queries@accountsadvicecentre.ie

Please be aware that the information contained in this article is of a general nature.  It is not intended to address specific circumstances in relation to any individual or entity. All reasonable efforts have been made by Accounts Advice Centre to provide accurate and up-to-date information, however, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate on the date it is received or that it will continue to remain so. This information should not be acted upon without full and comprehensive, specialist professional tax advice.