Self-Employed or Sole Trader? Let Us Handle Your Form 11

If you’ve become self-employed in Ireland, there are a few key steps to get your tax sorted:

• Register with Revenue
  Sign up as self-employed using Revenue’s Online Service (ROS). You’ll need your PPS number and will be issued a Tax Reference Number.
• Know what taxes you’ll pay
  • Income Tax
  • PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance)
  • USC (Universal Social Charge)

These are paid under the self-assessment system.

• Pay Preliminary Tax
  This is a payment towards your current year’s tax bill, due by 31 October each year.
• Keep good records
  Track all income and business expenses. Keep receipts, invoices, and bank statements in case Revenue ever asks to see them.
• Claim your tax credits
  Most self-employed people can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit – worth up to €2,000 in 2025.
• Check if you need to register for VAT
  If your turnover goes over €85,000 (goods) or €42,500 (services), you must register for VAT.
• File a Form 11 every year
  Your tax return (Form 11) and final payment are due by 31 October for the previous year. If you e-file via ROS, you usually get a short extension until mid-November.

Our team of tax experts can advise you on your obligations. Contact us at info@fasttax.ie to hear more.

You must register for VAT if your turnover goes above certain thresholds:

• €85,000 – For selling goods.
• €42,500 – For providing services.
• €85,000 – For mostly goods plus some services (90% goods).
• €10,000 – If you sell digital services (TBE) or goods into Ireland from another EU country.
• €41,000 – If you buy goods from other EU countries.

These apply over any rolling 12-month period – not just the calendar year.

You can also register voluntarily, even if you’re below the thresholds. This can be useful if you want to reclaim VAT on business expenses, especially if your customers are VAT-registered themselves.

Once registered, you must:

• Charge VAT on sales.
• Submit VAT returns (usually every 2 months).
• Keep proper records.

Failing to register when required can result in penalties.

We can help you with the best way to record your details and complete required VAT returns.

Yes. If you’re self-employed, you may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit – worth up to €2,000 in 2025. FastTax.ie makes it easy to apply your tax credits.

This credit is for:

• Sole traders and freelancers
• Proprietary directors
• Anyone earning income from a trade or profession (not passive income like rent or dividends)

You can’t claim both the Earned Income Credit and the PAYE Credit in full – the maximum between them is €2,000.

Other useful tax reliefs include:

• Claiming business expenses (rent, phone bills, software, etc.)
• Pension contributions, which reduce your taxable income
• Start-Up Refunds for Entrepreneurs (SURE) if you’re leaving PAYE work to start a business. If you were an employee, an unemployed person or a person recently made redundant, provided that your main income in recent years was PAYE, you may qualify for a refund in income tax to help start a new company.

The Earned Income Credit is usually applied automatically when you file your tax return.

Yes — once your tax return is filed, Revenue automatically applies RCT credits against:

• Income Tax or Corporation Tax
• Preliminary Tax
• PAYE (if you’re an employer)
• VAT
• Any other liabilities

Remaining RCT credits can be refunded or carried forward.

• Log into ROS to see RCT credits under “RCT Deduction Summary.”
• Revenue issues a Deduction Authorisation for each payment.
• Contractors must provide you with RCT details.
• If you don’t see the credit, check with the contractor or contact Revenue.

Yes — RCT is a withholding tax, not your final tax liability. You must:

• File an annual Income Tax return (Form 11) or Corporation Tax return (CT1).
• Declare all income and expenses.
• Claim credits or refunds due.

Revenue won’t refund RCT until your tax return is filed and other liabilities are up to date.