Latest Tax news

Chartered Accountants Ireland has partnered with Goodbody to publish the Investment Tax Guide 2026, which can be used as an ongoing reference to help consider the tax implications of specific investments.   Chartered Accountants Ireland and Goodbody launched the guide and hosted a webinar examining the landscape of investment taxation in Ireland. The panel discussion, moderated by Grant Sweetnam, Head of Public Policy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, featured Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, and Catriona Coady, Head of Tax at Goodbody, as panellists.  Over the hour, the panel unpacked a range of developments shaping the 2026 investment landscape. They explored the Government’s renewed focus on encouraging retail investment, including the commitments arising from the Funds Sector Review and the anticipated roadmap for simplifying Ireland’s complex retail investment tax framework. Cróna outlined how proposals such as removing the 8‑year deemed disposal rule on funds could support long‑term savers, while Catriona highlighted the implications of tax changes already announced for 2026 and how investors can navigate the current regime.  The panel also emphasised the critical role of financial literacy among adults, stressing that enhancing public understanding of investment and retirement planning must be a renewed government priority. This is particularly pressing as Ireland confronts the dual challenges of an ageing population and a shrinking workforce, which could threaten the sustainability of state pension payments in the years ahead.  The conversation also examined the EU’s Savings and Investment Union and what upcoming initiatives may mean for Irish households. With Ireland set to assume the EU Council Presidency later this year, the panel noted the opportunity to influence reforms that better align Ireland with its European peers.  You can read the guide here. .

Chartered Accountants Ireland and Goodbody invite you to a live webinar on Thursday, 5 February at 11am, where we will explore everything you need to know about investment taxes in Ireland in 2026. Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members and Advocacy at Chartered Accountants Ireland and Catriona Coady, Head of Tax at Goodbody, will share their insights on the evolving tax landscape. Moderated by Grant Sweetnam, Head of Public Policy at Chartered Accountants Ireland, the discussion will cover: Government initiatives to boost retail investment participation The EC Savings and Investment Union Key tax changes impacting Irish investments in 2026 Tax implications by investment vehicle Strategic approaches for investor portfolios There will be an opportunity for a Q&A with our expert panel at the end of the session. ‘Register today’ button: https://goodbody.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lqTsnMp9QHK2ldAbPNPwww#/registration

Comments by the Institute’s Head of Tax, Gearóid O’Sullivan, were included in an Irish Times article on proposed interest tax reforms.

The European Parliament Subcommittee on Tax Matters recently hosted a public hearing on tackling tax obstacles in the Single Market. Experts’ presentations and background documentation can be accessed online on the parliament’s website. 

The latest version of the annual average exchange rates has been updated to include the average market mid-closing rate of various currencies against the Euro for 2025.

The study on the future of EU tax policy harmonisation was presented at last week’s FISC Subcommittee meeting. Focusing on wealth taxation, cryptoassets taxation, digitalisation of tax administration and tax compliance burdens, experts outlined in the study their recommendations for more targeted EU-level coordination which would thereby reduce compliance and enforcement costs. 

The CESOP registration guidelines and guidance has been updated by Revenue to reflect the new agent and advisor e-linking application process and to include information on the procedure for de-registering from CESOP.

The OECD has hosted its sixth Global Forum on VAT to advance international dialogue on efficient, future-ready VAT systems in the context of digital transformation. The importance of global co-ordination on VAT to support trade and investment while safeguarding vital tax revenues was highlighted.  

Revenue has created a new guidance document on the framework, scope, and objectives of the International Cooperation and Capacity Building (ICCD) unit that manages International Cooperation and Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB) requests in Revenue.

Revenue has updated its guidance on the main purpose tests to explain the application of the 'reasonable to consider' test and to clarify how the objective tests should apply.  The guidance outlines that the essence of the ‘reasonable to consider’ test is to assess whether the taxpayer has genuinely considered the tax consequences of a transaction in the same manner as a reasonable taxpayer would do so. The objective ‘main purpose’ test applies to disclosures of a transaction under the mandatory disclosure regime and when assessing a transaction in light of the anti-avoidance provisions under section 811C TCA 1997. When applying a main purpose test, the guidelines outline that it is first necessary to determine if it is objective (what a reasonable man on the street would think) or subjective (what did the taxpayer actually have in mind).  

The OECD has issued a revised version of the Manual on Effective Mutual Agreement Procedures (MEMAP). The updated guidance by the Inclusive Framework on BEPS, is intended to strengthen cross-border tax treaty disputes resolution. 

Revenue has updated its guidance on Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) to reflect the amendments provided for in Finance Act 2025. The main changes relate to the new provisions where landowners request rezoning of land, the exemption where landowners are precluded from developing land, and certain provisions relating to the due date for payment of liabilities in situations where liabilities arise after death.