Frequently Asked Tax Questions in Ireland
PAYE Tax Return Questions
This section is your quick reference guide if you’re taxed under the PAYE system whether as an employee or pensioner but have additional income. Find answers on topics like overpaid tax, missing tax credits, and when extra income (like rental or freelance work) means you need to file a Form 11.
PAYE (Pay As You Earn) is tax deducted from your salary / pension by either employers or pension providers.
A P60 is an annual statement of the amount of PAYE and PRSI deducted by an employer or pension provider. As part of PAYE modernisation, P45s and P60s have been abolished and replaced with an online system. An Employment Detail Summary will be available to you through Revenue’s myAccount service.
A P45 is given to an employee on cessation of employment. As part of PAYE modernisation, P45s and P60s have been abolished and replaced with an online system. An Employment Detail Summary will be available to you through Revenue’s myAccount service.
A PRD 60 is an annual statement of the amount of pension levy paid by a public sector worker.
Rental Income Tax Return Questions
Landlords and property owners will find answers here on how rental income is taxed. Learn what must be declared, which rental expenses and mortgage interest are allowable, and when your rental income means you need to file a Form 11 return.
It is a legal requirement and you must register each residential letting with them. If you do not register you cannot claim tax relief for mortgage interest against your rental income.
Unfortunately yes! The rent a room exemption does not apply so you need to record your expenses and receipts to claim them as a tax deduction against your Airbnb income.
Unfortunately not.
You do not need to pay tax on it provided the gross income does not exceed the following limits:
- 2019- €14,000
Self-Employed Tax Return Questions
This section answers the most common questions for freelancers, sole traders, and contractors. Understand how to report your income, what business expenses you can claim, how preliminary tax works, and how to stay on top of your Form 11 obligations.
You claim is based on the percentage business use of the car e.g. Total annual running costs €5,000 Business Use 75% Tax claim for €3750 (€5,000 x 75%)
Ongoing expenses are the regular costs you incur to keep your business running. They are recurring, necessary, and usually tax-deductible.
Examples for businesses:
- Rent and utilities
- Staff wages
- Marketing and advertising
- Software subscriptions
- Insurance
- Routine maintenance
These are different from capital expenses, which relate to buying long-term assets like equipment or vehicles.
Keeping track of ongoing expenses helps with:
- Budgeting and cash flow
- Reducing your taxable profit
- Filing accurate tax returns
An annual fixed assets claim refers to claiming capital allowances on long-term business assets, such as equipment, machinery, or vehicles.
Instead of deducting the full cost of an asset in one year, you claim a percentage of it each year over time.
Examples of capital allowance rates:
- Plant & machinery: 12.5% over 8 years
- Industrial buildings: 4% over 25 years
Example:
If you buy equipment for €40,000, you can claim €5,000 per year (12.5%) for 8 years against your taxable profits.
To claim:
- The asset must be used wholly and exclusively for the business.
- Include the claim in your Form 11 tax return.
Drawings are money or assets you take out of your business for personal use. This applies to sole traders and partners—not company directors.
Key points:
- Drawings are not a business expense and can’t reduce your taxable profits.
- You are taxed on the profit your business makes, not how much you withdraw.
- Drawings reduce your capital in the business but do not affect your tax bill.
Example:
You earn €50,000 in business profit and take out €20,000 during the year. You’re still taxed on the full €50,000.
Tax Return Credits & Deductions Questions
Wondering which credits and reliefs you’re entitled to? This section breaks down common ones — like the age credit, home carer credit, medical expenses, and pension contributions — including how to claim them and how they reduce your overall tax bill.
- Up to 30 years of age – 15% of earnings subject to income cap
- 30 to 39 years of age – 20% of earnings subject to income cap
- 40 to 49 years of age – 25% of earnings subject to income cap
- 50 to 54 years of age – 30% of earnings subject to income cap
- 55 to 59 years of age – 35% of earnings subject to income cap
- 60 years or over – 40% of earnings subject to income cap
Yes. This is called a backdated claim and can be used by PAYE earners to create tax refunds or by the self-employed to reduce last year’s tax bill.
Our free pension tax relief calculator will do all the work for you and tell you what is the maximum pension contribution you can make to get maximum tax relief.
A personal tax credit directly reduces the income tax you owe. It’s based on your personal status.
2025 personal tax credit amounts:
- Single: €2,000
- Married or civil partners (joint assessment): €4,000
- Single person child carer: €1,900
- Blind person: €1,950
- Incapacitated child: €3,800
Revenue applies this automatically if they know your status but let them know if your circumstances change.
Self-Assessment Questions
New to self-assessment? This section explains the basics: who it applies to, how the system works, when and how to pay preliminary tax, and what happens if you miss a deadline. The helpful guide for anyone filing outside the PAYE system.
a) If the non-PAYE income exceeds €5,000 you must register for the Self Assessment Income Tax system and submit an Income Tax Form 11.
b) If the income doesn’t exceed the threshold you can submit an Income Tax Form 12 which is the form normally used by PAYE earners.
a) The Income Tax Form 12 is for PAYE individuals with additional income under €5,000.
b) The Self Assessment Income Tax Form 11 is for individuals registered for the Self Assessment tax system.
a) You will need to register for VAT if your sale of services exceeds €37,500 per annum or sale of goods exceeds €75,000 per annum.
a) If you exceeded the VAT threshold and failed to register, you will be liable any VAT due and may incur interest and penalties for late payment.
Tax Return Deadline Questions
Don’t miss a key deadline. This section lists important dates for:
- Form 11 filing
- Preliminary tax payments
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) in both the Initial and Later Periods
It also explains ROS extensions and the penalties for missing a deadline or underpaying tax.
A. The ROS extended income tax return deadline 2024 for 2023 income tax returns and for beneficiaries liable to Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is Thursday, 14 November 2024. ( extended pay & file deadline 2024)
The extended deadline is for taxpayers who file a 2023 Form 11 income tax return and make the appropriate payment through ROS for:
- Preliminary Tax for 2024 and
- Income Tax balance due for 2023
To qualify for the ROS extended Pay and file income tax deadline 2024 tax payers must both pay and file through ROS. Where only one of these actions is completed through ROS, the extension does not apply and you will be liabile to a late filing surcharge.
For taxpayers wishing top up your 2023 pension contributions for income tax relief purposes. The 2023 Form 11 income tax return must be filed and paid online by Thursday, 14 November 2024.
A. No later than 31 October 2024.
A1. 15 Dec 2024. Payment due on gains arising between 1 January 2022 to 30 November 2024. Use CGT Payslip A
A2. 31 January 2025. Capital Gains Tax-Payment due on gains 1 December 2024 and 31 December 2024. Use CGT Payslip B
Failure to file tax return for these payments in 2024/2025 will result in penalties even if liability is paid in full.
It is important to record the sale of assets by completing a tax return even if no liability arose as Revenue are aware of the sale but are unaware of whether you have tax liability or not due.
All capital losses Must be reported by completing your tax return in order to use them against future gains.
A. For income earned in 2023 the required date to submit both returns and payments is no later than 31 October 2024.
Form 11 Tax Returns Questions
Got questions about the Form 11? This section covers who needs to file, what information is required, how to access and submit the form, and common mistakes to avoid. And remember — with FastTax.ie, you don’t have to do it alone.
You can apply to be excluded from the obligation to submit your return electronically if you don’t have the internet or due to old age.
All Form 11’s must be submitted electronically unless you receive an exemption from Revenue.
The extended Form 11 deadline for e-filing vis ROS or using FastTax.ie is Wednesday, 19th November 2025. FastTax.ie makes it easy to complete your Form 11 and manage your filing obligations.
You must file a Form 11 if you are considered a self-assessed taxpayer. This includes:
- Self-employed individuals (e.g. sole traders, freelancers)
- Company directors (excluding some proprietary directors with PAYE only)
- Landlords earning rental income
- PAYE employees who also have:
- Rental income
- Investment income
- Foreign income
- Share options or dividends
- If the total amount of non-PAYE income exceeds €30,000 gross or €5,000 net.
- People claiming certain reliefs (e.g. High Earners Restriction, AVCs)
- Anyone notified by Revenue that they must file a Form 11
FastTax.ie makes it easy for chargeable persons to quickly and easily complete their Form 11. We offer flexible options to self-file via ROS or we can file for you.
Capital Gains Questions
CGT is due based on the asset disposal date:
- Between 1 Jan – 30 Nov: Pay by 15 Dec of the same year
- Between 1 Dec – 31 Dec: Pay by 31 Jan of the following year
Payment must be made before filing the tax return to avoid penalties.
Yes, you must file a return and calculate your gains, even if no tax is owed.
- Filing Deadline: Submit by 31 Oct of the year after the disposal (or later with ROS).
- Information to Include: Sale price, purchase price, expenses, and any exemptions.
- Calculation: Subtract allowable expenses and reliefs from the sale price.
Even if no tax is due, you must file the return to avoid penalties.
If you incur a loss:
- Declare the Loss: Include it in your tax return under “Capital Gains.”
- Offset Losses: Offset against gains in the same year before applying the €1,270 exemption.
- Carry Forward Losses: Unused losses can be carried forward to offset future gains.
- Foreign Losses: Can only be offset against foreign gains and carried forward.
- Documentation: Keep records of the loss, as Revenue may request proof.
Whether you pay tax on a gift depends on its value and your relationship to the giver.
- Thresholds: Exceeding the tax-free threshold for your group triggers CAT at 33% on the excess.
- Small Gift Exemption: Gifts of up to €3,000 annually are exempt.
- Exemptions: Gifts from a spouse or civil partner are exempt. Certain reliefs (e.g., Agricultural, Business) may apply.
- Tax Return: You must file a Form IT38 if the value exceeds 80% of the threshold, even if no tax is due.
