Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland have called for urgent public sector reform, a more competitive Corporation Tax regime, and stronger economic leadership as part of a credible industrial strategy to unlock growth, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from Chartered Accountants Ulster Society. The survey highlights an economy that has stabilised but remains stuck in low growth, with businesses continuing to face sustained cost pressures and limited confidence in the effectiveness of current policy delivery. Only 6% of respondents view the outlook as positive, with the majority (56%) expecting “fair” conditions and 38% remaining pessimistic. Meanwhile, 58% report that financial distress among businesses is still increasing, underlining the persistent strain across the economy.  Key findings The survey paints a picture of a resilient but constrained economy. 76% of respondents describe current conditions as either stagnant (38%) or growing only slowly (38%), with just 7% reporting strong or moderate growth.  Cost pressures remain a key challenge, with 95% citing the rising cost of doing business as a major negative factor, alongside taxation, energy costs and wider public finance pressures.  A clear and consistent theme throughout the findings is the need for fundamental public sector reform. Half of respondents (51%) believe Northern Ireland’s current public funding model is no longer sustainable and requires significant change, while over 90% agree that improving efficiency and prioritising existing spending must come before raising taxes or cutting services.  Respondents expressed strong concerns around governance and delivery, pointing to inefficiency, slow decision-making and a lack of strategic direction as key barriers to growth. Public sector performance is widely viewed as a constraint on economic progress, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, skills and service delivery.  At the same time, there is strong support for measures to enhance competitiveness. 85% of respondents believe a more competitive Corporation Tax rate would strengthen Northern Ireland’s ability to attract and retain mobile investment. The survey also highlights the untapped potential of Northern Ireland’s dual market access under post-Brexit arrangements. While widely recognised as a unique economic advantage, over 70% of respondents do not believe this opportunity is currently being fully utilised. On technology, there is cautious optimism around Artificial Intelligence (AI). Almost half (49%) expect AI to have some impact on their role without fundamentally changing it, while a further 36% anticipate significant or positive transformation, signalling a shift towards evolution rather than disruption in the accountancy profession.  Call for action The Ulster Society is urging policymakers to take a long-term, strategic approach to economic growth, focused on delivery as well as policy. Key priorities include: Accelerating public sector reform, improving productivity, accountability and service delivery Enhancing competitiveness through Corporation Tax reform and a more attractive investment environment Maximising the benefits of dual market access to position Northern Ireland as a gateway for international trade and investment Supporting responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies to drive innovation and efficiency Strengthening governance, with clearer strategic direction and more effective decision-making. Mark Lawther, Chairman of Chartered Accountants Ulster Society, said:  “Northern Ireland’s economy has stabilised, but momentum remains modest. Businesses continue to face elevated costs and financial pressures, and greater confidence will depend on clearer, faster policy delivery. “There is a clear message from our members that reform must come before additional revenue-raising. Improving how public money is spent, alongside stronger governance and decision-making, is essential to restoring confidence. “At the same time, there are real opportunities to transform our economic outlook. A more competitive Corporation Tax rate, combined with Northern Ireland’s unique dual market access, has the potential to attract significant investment – but only if supported by clear strategy and delivery. “We also see growing potential in areas such as AI and innovation, which can support productivity and long-term growth. The challenge now is to turn opportunity into action.” Over 200 Chartered Accountants in Northern Ireland took part in the survey.

In Irish news, as five towns are newly designated under the Living City Initiative, Revenue has published new and updated guidance relating to the Initiative and Government has announced a new package of fuel supports for the farming, fishery and transport sectors. In UK news this week, we remind readers that time to pay arrangement may be agreed with HMRC to spread tax liabilities, and the annual Administrative Burdens Advisory Board survey on HMRC performance is now open for completion. In International news, the Commission has published a study on wealth taxation. Ireland 1. Read about the five towns recently designated under the Living City Initiative and the related guidance published by Revenue. 2. The Government announced a new package of supports last week to assist sectors impacted by fuel increases. UK 3. Mindful of rising costs, taxpayers and business may be able to avail of time to pay arrangements to spread tax liabilities over monthly instalments. 4. The 2026 annual Administrative Burdens Advisory Board survey on HMRC performance is open for responses until 29 April 2026.   International 5.The European Commission recently published a study on wealth taxes providing greater insight into their design, interrelation and impacts. Keep up to date with all the latest Irish, UK, and international tax developments through Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Tax Newsletter. Subscribe to the Tax News by updating your preferences in MyAccount. You can also read this week’s Cross-border developments and trading corner. This week’s edition sets out details of an email about changes to the process for returning consignments rejected at EU Border Control Posts which came into effect earlier this week on Monday 20 April 2026.

At a time when many businesses and taxpayers are experiencing added cost pressures due to rising costs as a result of the ongoing war in the Middle East, we remind readers that time to pay may be available to spread tax liabilities. Although HMRC has not made any official announcement about any specific measures to support businesses and taxpayers as a result of the ongoing crisis, time to pay is available as normal and is designed to support them in scenarios like this. Members can also contact the Institute to discuss any specific concerns they may have in relation to this. By way of reminder, time to pay enables a taxpayer or business experiencing temporary difficulties in paying tax liabilities to reach an agreement to pay these in monthly instalments. A time to pay arrangement can be automatically set up online for self-assessment tax debts of £30,000 or less. This mechanism was introduced several years ago and was a recommendation of Chartered Accountants Ireland during the pandemic.  

Revenue has updated its guidance on the Securitisation Regulation: Notification of Investment to include a link to the current EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes effective from 6 March 2026. The list of jurisdictions remains unchanged since 28 February 2025.

The annual Administrative Burdens Advisory Board (ABAB) 2026 survey ‘Tell ABAB’ is now open for completion. The survey takes roughly 15 minutes to complete and will remain open for responses until Wednesday 29 April 2026. The survey is an opportunity to provide ABAB with insights on the tax system which they can then use to support taxpayers, agents, and businesses. Its results are expected to be published on GOV.UK in Autumn 2026 in the annual ‘Tell ABAB’ report. Previous reports are available on the ABAB website. The survey provides crucial insights on the big issues faced by small businesses, including those who identify as tax agents in the tax system. The ABAB says that it is passionate about listening to and understanding the needs of the small business community. Board members come from a range of businesses and professions; ultimately their goal is to make the tax system quicker and simpler for small businesses. The Board therefore challenges HMRC on its performance, and aims to provide robust scrutiny against key initiatives, such as Making Tax Digital. The annual ABAB report, which is sent directly to Treasury ministers, reviews HMRC’s progress against the ABAB’s priorities. If you have any questions about the 2026 survey, email advisoryboard.adminburden@hmrc.gov.uk.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) recently published its Spring 2026 Quarterly Economic Commentary, highlighting a higher inflation outlook, driven mainly by the potential effects of the conflict in the Middle East. The ERSI notes that the uncertainty the conflict has created has already weakened the global outlook and increased the risk of renewed, sustained inflationary pressures in Ireland and internationally. On a more positive note, the report outlines that the economy performed strongly in 2025, with exports rising by 9.6 percent, even though growth slowed as the year went on. Modified domestic demand grew by 4.9 percent over the year. Despite the inflationary pressures linked to the Iran crisis, the ESRI expects the domestic economy to continue expanding in 2026 and 2027, with forecasted MDD growth of 2.1 percent in 2026 and 2.8 percent in 2027. While recent international events are shaping short‑term economic considerations, the ESRI cautions that there are still important longer‑term risks to Ireland’s economic success. These include the highly concentrated nature of Ireland’s tax revenues, the imbalance in productivity and performance between foreign-owned and domestic firms, ongoing budgetary overruns and the continued challenge of addressing infrastructure deficits, especially regarding housing. Towards the end of 2025, labour‑market data suggested some softening, with one area of concern being an apparent rise in youth unemployment.

HMRC has recently published for technical consultation draft secondary legislation for the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). This includes some of the CBAM administrative requirements, including those on embodied emissions and the monitoring and verification of emissions data. The consultation is open for responses until 21 May 2026. By way of reminder, the UK CBAM is a new tax which aims to ensure that highly traded carbon intensive goods imported into the UK face a comparable carbon price to that paid by manufacturers producing the same goods in the UK. Currently, UK manufacturers are subject to carbon pricing for direct emissions under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.  The UK’s CBAM is due to commence from 1 January 2027 and will apply to goods from the following industrial sectors: aluminium,  cement,  fertiliser,  hydrogen, and  iron and steel.  

Revenue has updated its guidance on Revised Entrepreneur Relief to reflect the Finance Act 2025 amendment increasing the lifetime limit on capital gains qualifying for the relief to €1.5 million with effect from 1 January 2026. The content of the guidance has also been restructured with additional examples provided on the relief.

In this week’s detailed miscellaneous updates which you can read more about below, the April 2026 Employer Bulletin and the most recent Agent Update have both been published by HMRC. Other updates to be aware of this week are as follows: HMRC has advised that new VAT registrations may not appear on HMRC’s Check a UK VAT number online service from 9am today, Monday 20 April, until 5pm Friday 24 April 2026, From 1 April 2026, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) ceased to exist independently and is now providing its services as part of HMRC. A Press Release has been published explaining this which also advises that the VOA’s customer helpline and online contact form continue to be available as normal, Until 15 June 2026, the Scottish Government is consulting on proposals relating to its communications to taxpayers, HMRC recently published a new online tool Tell HMRC about loans that participators have repaid in full. The tool can be used by company officers, participators in close companies and authorised agents, A HMRC webinar being held on 23 April 2026 which will examine statutory maternity and paternity pay is still open for registrations, The deadline for submitting and paying the annual tax on enveloped dwellings for the return period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 is 30 April 2026, The latest schedule of HMRC Talking Points live and recorded webinars for tax agents are available for booking. Spaces are limited, so take a look now and save your place, and finally, Check HMRC’s online services availability page for details of planned downtime and the online services affected. April 2026 Employer Bulletin The April edition of the Employer Bulletin brings you all the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals, and agents. Included in this edition are important updates on: key dates and processes for reporting benefits in kind, Real Time Information submission problems: incorrect handling of payroll ID, the removal from April 2026 of employee tax relief for non-reimbursed homeworking expenses, the official rate of interest from 6‌‌‌ April 2026, and Statutory Sick Pay changes from April 2026: what employer’s need to know. Agent Update 142 Agent Update: Issue 142 is available now. Get the latest guidance and information on the following in this edition: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, Corporation Tax late filing penalties – temporary delay to notices, and the tax rules for non-UK domiciled individuals have changed.

Last week, the Government agreed a new package of fuel measures to support the transport, farming and fisheries sectors which include reductions in excise duty on diesel, petrol and marked gas oil.  The reductions will take effect from midnight, Tuesday 14 April 2026 and run until 31 July 2026. The measures are in addition to the €250 million in targeted supports previously allocated to assist those experiencing real and immediate financial pressure. As part of the ongoing engagement with the European Commission, the measures announced by Government include the following: Excise on diesel to be reduced by a further 10 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on diesel to 32 cent (VAT inclusive), Excise on petrol to be reduced by a further 10 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on petrol to 27 cent (VAT inclusive), Excise on marked gas oil (green diesel) to be reduced by a further 2.4 cent (VAT inclusive), bringing the total reduction on green diesel to 7.4 cent (VAT inclusive), the overall reductions include the already announced NORA levy reduction, and  the planned increase in carbon tax, scheduled for May 1st, will be deferred until the Budget. This will impact green diesel and non-propellant fuels such as kerosene heating oil, natural gas and solid fuels. The Government plans to establish a new Road Transporters Support Scheme (RTSS) to support the haulage and coach sector. In addition, a comprehensive €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme was announced to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers facing unprecedented increases in fuel costs. Following the announcement, Revenue updated its Excise Duty guidance on Energy Products and Electricity Taxes to reflect these changes. The guidance on the relief for increase in carbon tax on farm diesel has also been revised to reflect an extension of relevant existing rates and to include a step-by-step guide on how claim relief for carbon tax on farm diesel under section 664A TCA 1997.  

The Living City Initiative is a scheme of property tax incentives covering various reliefs aimed at the regeneration of certain areas. The scheme offers relief from income tax or corporation tax for qualifying expenditure on the refurbishment and/or conversion of buildings located in Special Regeneration Areas (SRAs). Last week the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris, signed orders to formally designate five additional towns, Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo under the Initiative.  In addition, Revenue has published updated guidance on the Living City Initiative and has also published new guidance on different elements of the relief including,  owner occupier residential relief and commercial, rented residential and living over the shop elements of the relief. The guidance includes details of the Finance Act 2025 amendments to the Living City Initiative which took effect from 1 January 2026 and include: The introduction of section 372AAE into the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which provides for a new living over the shop element to the scheme. Relief is available in respect of the conversion or refurbishment of certain commercial or industrial properties (which were rateable premises) into residential units. An amendment to the pre-1915 building age requirement that applied to the owner occupier and rented residential elements of the scheme, to provide that residential premises built before 1975 in Special Regeneration Areas will be eligible for relief. Confirmation that relief for qualifying expenditure on the rented residential, commercial and living over the shop elements of the scheme is allowed over two years at a rate of 50 percent per annum. Provision for up to a maximum of €300,000 in tax relief per undertaking over a rolling 3-year period for the rented residential, commercial and living over the shop element of the scheme and thereby removing the limit of €200,000 per project. The removal of the restriction on the rented residential and commercial elements of the scheme which required three times the amount of a grant received or receivable to be deducted from qualifying expenditure. It now instead provides that the amount of the grant received is to be deducted. The removal of the restriction on property developers or connected parties claiming relief in certain circumstances.  

In this week’s cross-border trading corner, we bring you the latest guidance updates and publications. The most recent Trader Support Service bulletin is also available as is the latest Brexit and Beyond newsletter from the Northern Ireland Assembly EU Affairs team. And finally the Government’s Borders Directorate Communications Team has sent an email about changes to the process for returning consignments rejected at EU Border Control Posts which come into effect from today, Monday 20 April 2026. The email also includes suggested actions to take. Miscellaneous guidance updates and publications This week’s miscellaneous guidance updates and publications are as follows: Amend or cancel a Customs Declaration Service import declaration, Report a problem using the Customs Declaration Service, The Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, Customs declarants and declaration volumes for international trade in 2025, Method 1 - Transaction value, Advance valuation rulings, Customs valuation, Reference Document for The Customs (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020, UK import trade in goods by country of origin and country of dispatch, 2024, Amend or cancel non-special procedure supplementary declarations, External temporary storage facilities codes for Data Element 5/23 of the Customs Declaration Service, and Internal temporary storage facilities (ITSFs) codes for Data Element 5/23 of the Customs Declaration Service.