For businesses in Ireland, meeting tax deadlines is essential to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with Revenue regulations. Whether you are a sole trader, SME, or large corporation, understanding your key tax deadlines can help you plan ahead, manage cash flow, and stay on the right side of tax laws.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the most important tax deadlines for Irish businesses, including Income Tax, VAT, Corporation Tax, and Payroll Tax (PAYE/PRSI/USC).
1. Income Tax Deadlines (Self-Employed & Sole Traders)
If you are a sole trader, freelancer, or self-employed professional, you must file an annual Income Tax return under the Self-Assessment system (Form 11).
Key Deadlines:
📅 31st October – Deadline for filing and paying Income Tax for the previous calendar year.
📅 Mid-November (ROS Extension Date) – If you file and pay through Revenue Online Service (ROS), you usually get an extended deadline (check Revenue’s annual updates).
What You Need to Pay:
✔ Income Tax – Based on your taxable income.
✔ PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) – Class S contribution (currently 4% of profits).
✔ USC (Universal Social Charge) – Applied on a sliding scale depending on your income.
📌 Top Tip: To avoid last-minute stress, keep detailed records of all business income and expenses throughout the year and file early.
2. VAT Deadlines (For VAT-Registered Businesses)
If your business turnover exceeds the VAT threshold (€37,500 for services, €75,000 for goods), you must register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) and submit VAT returns.
Key Deadlines:
📅 Bi-Monthly VAT Returns – VAT is filed every two months (e.g., January-February return is due by March 19th).
📅 Annual VAT Return (If Applicable) – Some businesses may be allowed to file VAT annually instead of bi-monthly.
What You Need to Do:
✔ Charge the correct VAT rate (typically 23% standard rate).
✔ File VAT 3 returns on time through ROS.
✔ Pay VAT liabilities by the due date.
📌 Common Mistake: Many businesses forget to reclaim VAT on eligible business expenses. Keep receipts and claim back VAT to reduce your tax bill.
3. Corporation Tax Deadlines (For Limited Companies - LTDs)
If you run a Limited Company (LTD) in Ireland, you must file an annual Corporation Tax Return (Form CT1) and pay tax on company profits.
Key Deadlines:
📅 First Corporation Tax Payment (Preliminary Tax) – Due six months before the end of the company’s accounting period (e.g., if your year-end is 31st December, your first payment is due 23rd June).
📅 Final Corporation Tax Payment & Filing – Due nine months after the company’s year-end (e.g., for a 31st December year-end, the deadline is 23rd September).
Rates & Payments:
✔ Standard Corporation Tax – 12.5% on trading income.
✔ Higher Corporation Tax – 25% on non-trading income (e.g., investment income).
✔ R&D Tax Credits & Other Reliefs – Available to reduce your tax liability.
📌 Important: If your company is newly incorporated, check with your accountant to see if you qualify for the Start-Up Relief that provides Corporation Tax relief for new businesses.
4. Payroll Tax (PAYE/PRSI/USC) Deadlines (For Employers)
If your business has employees, you must register for PAYE and submit regular payroll tax returns.
Key Deadlines:
📅 Monthly Payroll Submissions (Real-Time Reporting) – Each time you pay an employee, you must submit the payroll details to Revenue in real-time (using payroll software).
📅 PAYE/PRSI/USC Payment Due Dates – Employers must pay tax deductions to Revenue by the 14th of the following month (e.g., tax for January salaries is due by 14th February).
📅 Annual Employer Return (Form P35) – No Longer Required – Since 2019, Revenue collects payroll information in real-time, so P35 returns are no longer required.
📌 Tip: Use payroll software like Xero, BrightPay, or Sage to automate payroll tax calculations and submissions.
5. Other Key Tax Deadlines
Local Property Tax (LPT) - If You Own Business Premises
📅 Annual Payment (Usually in January or March) – If your business owns property, you may be required to pay Local Property Tax (LPT), depending on its use.
RCT (Relevant Contracts Tax) - If You Operate in Construction, Forestry, or Meat Processing
📅 Monthly or Quarterly RCT Returns – Businesses in the construction sector must deduct RCT when making payments to subcontractors and file returns on time.
Avoid Late Fees & Penalties
Missing tax deadlines can result in:
🚨 Late filing penalties – Fixed penalties of €250 to €5,000.
🚨 Interest charges – Revenue charges 0.0219% daily interest on overdue taxes.
🚨 Loss of tax reliefs – Late filings may affect eligibility for reliefs like Start-Up Exemptions or R&D Tax Credits.
To stay compliant, consider working with an accountant or using tax software to track deadlines automatically.
Final Thoughts
Understanding and meeting key tax deadlines is crucial for the success of your business. Whether you are a sole trader, SME, or large company, planning ahead will help you avoid penalties, improve cash flow, and stay compliant with Revenue regulations.
💼 Need Help?
Gahan & Co Chartered Accountants provide expert tax advice and deadline management services to keep your business on track. Contact us today to ensure your taxes are filed correctly and on time.
📞 Thinking of Starting Something?
Book a call with Gahan Accountants today —
https://gahanaccountants.ie/pages/contact
