Revenue has updated the guidance on the exemption available in respect of compensation for certain living donors to reflect changes introduced by Finance Act 2025 arising from the enactment of the Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024. The updated guidance outlines the legislative changes made in Finance Act 2025 and provides updated background details to the exemption provided under Section 204B TCA 1997. A new section has been included in the guidance to outline details of payments qualifying for exemption.

The OECD has published a fourth batch of updated transfer pricing country profiles. The information is intended to reflect the current state of countries' legislation and the extent their rules follow the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines.

Revenue has revised two of its close company guidance notes by reorganising the material and including additional information and examples illustrating how the provisions operate. The relevant manuals relate to certain settlements made by close companies and treatment of interest payments and other forms of consideration as distributions. The guidance on certain settlements made by close companies  relates to the provisions of section 436A TCA 1997 and the transfer of funds from close companies through the use of trusts and other arrangements. The guidance on the tax treatment of certain payments made by close companies to participators and directors under sections 436 and 437 TCA 1997 outlines how these provisions classify interest payments that exceed specified limits, as well as expenses incurred in providing certain benefits, as distributions.

The FISC Subcommittee will host a public hearing on  tackling tax obstacles in the Single Market on Tuesday, 27 January 2026. At the hearing, experts will outline their views and discuss with members on ways to tackle the remaining tax-related obstacles and barriers in the Single Market.

The Model Reporting Rules for Digital Platform Operators (MRDP) returns for 2025 must be filed by Saturday 31 January 2026. The MRDP is the agreed standard for Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) on digital platform operators and require digital platform operators to collect and automatically report information on certain sellers who use their platforms to earn consideration.  Further details are available on Revenue’s DAC7 Hub.

Revenue has published updated guidance on the completion of the Income Tax return for 2024 to clarify that the 7‑year holding period requirement for claiming a farmland leasing exemption under section 664 TCA1997 does not apply where the land transfers to a surviving spouse or civil partner on the death of a joint owner.

We issue a further reminder to readers that this coming Saturday, 31 January 2026, is the payment deadline for capital gains tax (CGT) liabilities arising in the period 1 December 2025 to 31 December 2025. Revenue’s CGT webpage details how to register for CGT via MyAccount. CGT payments can be made online using a debit/credit card or a one-off single debit instruction.

Welcome to the latest edition of Technical Roundup.   In developments since the last edition, the UK Government announced that it is not progressing with the Audit and Corporate Governance Reform Bill. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) has launched a public consultation seeking views on proposed legislative measures through the Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026 to strengthen consumer protection and enforcement in Ireland with a closing date for receipt of submissions of Friday, 27 February 2026.  The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) have adopted a Joint Opinion on the European Commission’s Proposal for the ‘Digital Omnibus on AI’.  Read more on these and other developments that may be of interest to members below.   Financial Reporting   The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) is hosting a webinar “Circular Economy Reporting in Focus: The Draft Simplified ESRS E5” on 3 February 2026. This webinar will discuss the role of the E5 standard and the key lessons learned from the first year of its application.  Richard Moriarty, Chief Executive of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), has set out the regulator's priorities and focus for 2026. Within this document are five key focus areas;  underpinning investor confidence in UK plc  reducing unnecessary burdens on business while maintaining high standards  developing deep insight into the markets we oversee so our regulation is based on evidence and expertise  identifying future trends and innovations to support the health of the markets we oversee  supporting the skills and resilience of the professions we regulate  The UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has introduced new regulations requiring large companies to include information on their supplier payment practices, policies and performance within their directors’ report for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2026. Full guidance on who must report and what information is required is available on the DBT website.  Auditing and Assurance   Accountancy Europe (AE) published analysis and findings regarding audit exemption thresholds in Europe.  The UK Government announced that it is not progressing with the Audit and Corporate Governance Reform Bill. In a letter to the Chair, Business and Trade Committee, the Minister for Small Businesses and Economic Transformation Blair McDougall stated that the government’s key priority is to promote growth and reduce administrative burdens, and that it would not be right to prioritise the introduction of measures that would increase costs on businesses. Whilst the Institute is generally supportive of simplification and proportionate regulation, uncertainty is bad for business. It is not clear whether some of the reform proposals included in the now abandoned bill might be brought forward in another way. The future role of the FRC also remains unclear. We will continue to engage with the UK Government and the FRC as this continues to evolve.   Insolvency   The Institute is hosting three in-person sessions which will provide an introduction to the new Creditor Voluntary Liquidation workbook. The workbook has been produced to assist Liquidators in complying with legislative and SIP requirements when conducting statutory meetings, reporting to creditors and approval of remuneration.  The sessions will also cover compliance matters and will include potential issues and problems that can arise and how to avoid or best navigate these. It will also include some practical examples and a Q&A session.  The sessions are targeted at professionals taking on insolvency appointments and acting as Liquidator, and those training or working in the insolvency sector looking to gain expertise in this area.     Each of these three-hour sessions are free to attend and will take place on the following dates:  Tuesday, 3 March at 1pm  Cork Book Now    Wednesday, 4 March at 9am  Galway  Book now   Thursday, 5 March at 9am Dublin  Book now  Sustainability   The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published a second thematic note on sustainability-related claims focusing on ESG strategies. This publication offers practical guidance for making sustainability claims ensuring clear, fair and not misleading sustainability-related claims are made by market participants and also addressing greenwashing risks in support of sustainable investments.   The European Central Bank (ECB) announced that it has advanced its climate and nature work based on the 2024-2025 plan embedding climate and nature-related risks into its core work.  Anti-money laundering, Authorised Corporate Service Provider registration  On 1 January 2026, the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA) completed the transfer of all AML/CFT mandates and functions from the EBA to AMLA. The handover concludes the EBA's stand-alone AML/CFT mandate that began in 2020 and is part of the new EU AML/CFT package, which established AMLA at the centre of an integrated, European system of AML/CFT supervision.  Chartered Accountants Ireland responded to HM Treasury’s Consultation regarding Anti Money Laundering /Counter Terrorist-Financing (AML/CTF) Supervision Reform: Duties, Powers and Accountability. The consultation response provided feedback on proposals to reform the supervision of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) compliance among professional services businesses following the UK government’s announcement in 2025 that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) should take over responsibility for AML/CTF supervision of legal, accountancy, and trust and company service providers.  Readers may know UK Companies House had planned that that by Spring 2026 identity verification of presenters would be a compulsory part of filing any document with Companies House and that all third-party agents filing on behalf of UK companies would need to be registered as an ACSP with Companies House. Since March 2025, Trust and Company Service Providers (TCSPs) and other professional service providers (such as accountants and solicitors) who are registered for Anti Money Laundering purposes with a supervisor in the UK, have been able to register with Companies House to become Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs). In an announcement earlier this week, Companies House confirmed the delayed implementation of this Spring deadline for presenters and third-party filling agents to be registered with Companies House to at least November 2026.  Central Bank of Ireland (CBI)  The CBI published the results of its thematic assessment of operational resilience in the MiFID investment firm sector, finding evidence of maturing frameworks but identifying weaknesses in firms’ identification and mapping of critical or important business services, scenario testing, and integration of firms' operational resilience frameworks with existing risk management frameworks.  Gerry Cross, Director, Capital Markets and Funds, Central Bank of Ireland delivered a speech at the Compliance Institute AGM. The speech focused on 'Supervising for success: some themes for a time of change'. The speech covered a number of important topics of relevance to compliance professionals and regulators including the important objective of securing customers’ interests, individual accountability, simplification, resilience, leveraging technology, and the Central Bank’s evolving approach to supervision.  The CBI and Banca d’Italia launched the first joint Innovation Data Challenge designed to foster cutting-edge research and innovation in the retail payments sector.  The new Consumer Protection Code (CPC 2025) and related Standards for Business will come into effect on 24 March 2026. Alongside the publication of the Consumer Code 2025, the CBI has recently published General Guidance on the Consumer Protection Code to support firms in implementing the requirements.  Artificial Intelligence (AI)  The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) adopted a Joint Opinion on the European Commission’s Proposal for the ‘Digital Omnibus on AI’. The EDPB and EDPS support streamlining the European AI Act implementation but call for stronger safeguards to protect fundamental rights.  Cybersecurity   The European Commission plans to revise the 2019 Cybersecurity Act to strengthen the EU’s resilience and capabilities in the face of these growing threats.  The purpose is to strengthen the security of the EU’s information and communication technologies by reducing the risks from third-country suppliers and to ensure that digital products and services used are tested for security in a more efficient way.  The UK Government has published its new 'Government Cyber Action Plan (GCAP)', which aims to strengthen resilience across the UK particularly in the public sector. The GCAP outlines roles and relationships between organisations working with the public sector (including the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology), setting clear milestones, strengthening governance, and providing centralised support that allows departments to focus on securing what matters most. The NCSC has published a summary of the new GCAP document on its website.  The UK's NCSC published new guidance setting out secure connectivity principles for Operational Technology (OT). These principles will help organisations design, review, and secure the connectivity within and to OT systems, transforming system understanding into positive cyber security action.  The UK's NCSC has also issued a warning over hacktivist groups disrupting UK organisations and online services. Organisations, particularly local government authorities and operators of critical national infrastructure, are being encouraged to review their defences and improve their cyber resilience by preparing and being able to respond to denial of service (DoS) attacks.   Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)  The European Supervisory Authorities and UK financial regulators signed a Memorandum of Understanding on oversight of critical ICT third-party service providers under DORA. The underlying details of the principles and key areas for cooperation and exchange of information between the ESAs and the UK Financial Authorities are included in the Memorandum of Understanding on DORA oversight of critical ICT third-party service providers in EU and UK.  Other News  Enterprise Ireland has created a new guide to support Irish SMEs on their sustainable export journey into the EU. It offers guidance on Navigating ESG Procurement - EU Export Guide for Germany, France, Spain and Italy to ensure continued competitiveness when competing for export opportunities to main EU markets including Germany, France, Spain and Italy.   The Government published its Legislation Programme for Spring 2026 setting out the Government’s priorities for the coming ten-week parliamentary session. It includes various areas of planned legislative changes including reference to heads in preparation of legislation for the transposition of the EU’s 6th Anti-Money laundering package that requires primary legislation. Work is ongoing on the National Cyber Security Bill (incorporating provisions to establish the National Cyber Security Centre on a statutory basis and provide for related matters), and heads are in preparation on the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill giving full effect in Ireland to the EU Regulation on Artificial Intelligence, including the establishment of the national AI central office.  The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published updated guidance on international transfers of personal information. This guidance supports businesses with understanding and complying with the transfer rules under UK GDPR.   The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published principles on risk-based supervision, which is a critical pillar for ESMA’s simplification and burden reduction efforts. These principles support a common and effective EU-wide supervisory culture to strengthen the EU single market.  The European Central Bank (ECB) published its latest economic bulletin covering the external environments, economic activity, prices and costs, financial market developments, financing conditions, credit and fiscal developments.   The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) launched a public consultation seeking views on proposed legislative measures through the Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026 to strengthen consumer protection and enforcement in Ireland. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 5pm on Friday, 27 February 2026.   Minister of State for Small Businesses, Retail and Employment at DETE has signed into law a revised Code of Practice on Access to Part‑Time Working . Prepared by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), the updated Code provides practical guidance to help employers and employees agree part‑time arrangements that support flexible, inclusive and modern workplaces.   The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) contributed to the European Commission’s evaluation of the application of the Data Protection Law Enforcement Directive (LED). In addition, the EDPB has updated recommendations on the application for Processor Binding Corporate Rules (BCR-P) covering the transfer tool that can be used by a group of undertakings or enterprises to transfer personal data outside the European Economic Area to processors within the same group to ensure compliance with GDPR. The updated recommendations will be open to public consultation until 2 March 2026.   CLS Chartered Secretaries has recently published its CLS “Top 10 Co Sec Points for 2026”. They write that each year they highlight some Company Law and Company Secretarial points to consider and some useful ones for 2026 including changes made to the audit exemption rules in 2025 and options if a company is late in filing.  For further technical information and updates please visit the Technical Hub on the Institute website.           This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in the information purports to provide professional advice or definitive legal interpretation(s) or opinion(s) on the applicable legislation or legal or other matters referred to in the information. If the reader is in doubt on any matter in this complex area further legal or other advice must be obtained. While every reasonable care has been taken by the Institute in the preparation of the information we do not guarantee the accuracy or veracity of any resource, guidance, information or opinion, or the appropriateness, suitability or applicability of any practice or procedure contained therein. The Institute is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of the resources or information contained herein.    

Last Wednesday, Chartered Accountants Ireland and the Ulster Society were pleased to meet with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Finance and Economy Committees in Stormont to discuss the Institute’s ongoing campaign to reduce the corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland. Representatives from the Institute spoke about the need for a coherent, long term industrial policy in Northern Ireland that attracts investment, creates secure, well-paid jobs and fosters innovation and entrepreneurship. As part of an overall industrial strategy, Northern Ireland needs to reduce its corporation tax rate and provide policy certainty for potential investors. The feedback from members of the committees was positive and informed. It was clear that members were deeply committed to improving the economic environment in Northern Ireland and in improving living standards for workers. The key issues and Institute stance The main issue remains the potential impact on the block grant that Northern Ireland receives every year. The Institute outlined various measures that can be availed of to overcome this issue, most notably the use of a low interest loan from Westminster to manage the initial drop in corporate tax revenue that would arise immediately after the rate reduction.  The Institute also outlined that phased introduction should be considered to reduce the immediate impact on the block grant. In terms of the economic impact on Northern Ireland, research from the ESRI shows that a reduction in corporate tax rates would increase investment in Northern Ireland by 7.5% which would lead to substantial employment opportunities for people in Northern Ireland. Our progress to date and next steps  The next step will be to take this campaign to Westminster to push the agenda forward.  The need for cross party support for reducing Northern Ireland’s corporation tax rate is essential for progress to be made with HMRC and HM Treasury and this point was highlighted during last Wednesday’s meeting. To date, the Institute has met with a broad range of stakeholders and have now met with all major parties in Northern Ireland.  As outlined here last week, in November 2025, the Institute wrote specifically to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on this issue. In this letter, we highlighted that the ultimate aim of a lower rate is for it to become self-funding in the longer term, but that it would necessitate a replacement loan at a low interest rate from HM Treasury to fund the necessary block grant reduction. Last year the Institute published its position paper ‘Enhancing Our Competitiveness: The case for a reduced rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland’.  Share your experiences and insights If you work in a local business and would like to participate in the Institute’s campaign by being a voice of support for a lower rate, contact us by email.

Chartered Accountants Ireland (the Institute) has responded to HM Treasury’s Consultation Anti Money Laundering /Counter Terrorist-Financing (AML/CTF) Supervision Reform: Duties, Powers and Accountability. The consultation follows the government’s decision to appoint the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the future supervisor for AML/CTF compliance in legal, accountancy, and trust and company service providers. It explores proposals for the key duties, powers, and accountability mechanisms that the FCA will need to be an effective AML supervisor of these sectors and the legislative changes necessary to enact these. The Institute in its response focused on the need for the new supervisory approach to be proportionate, scalable and appropriate to the size and complexity of the firms that will come within its supervisory reach. The Institute highlighted some of the practical challenges that could arise during the transition period and urged the government to seek to minimise the administrative burden on firms. The Institute has previously written to its population of UK AML supervised firms to advise them of the government’s decision. There is no immediate change for firms currently supervised for AML in the UK by the Institute.  The Institute will continue to support firms through the changes arising in relation to the UK AML supervision regime.

In Irish news, the Institute has submitted its response to the strawman proposal for the reform of the taxation of interest in Ireland and the Department of Finance has published a review of the Research and Development Tax Credit for 2025. In UK news, we update you on the Institute’s ongoing campaign for a reduced rate of corporation tax for Northern Ireland and we share the latest developments from across HMRC. In International news this week, we outline the latest jurisdictions to come on board with the BEPS project. Ireland 1. Read the response by the Institute to the feedback statement and strawman proposal for the reform of Ireland’s taxation regime for interest. 2. The Department of Finance has released its 2025 review of the Research and Development Tax Credit. UK 3. Read our latest update on the Institute’s continued advocacy for a reduced corporation tax rate in Northern Ireland. 4. We bring you the latest UK tax ‘tidbits’ featuring guidance from across a wide range of areas. International 5. Guatemala and Fiji are the latest jurisdictions to join the BEPS framework. 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.  

For newly and recently qualified Chartered Accountants, the 2026 job market is expected to be broadly optimistic, supported by continued demand across practice, industry, and financial services. While some organisations are taking a cautious approach due to cost‑efficiency pressures and economic uncertainty, the overall hiring landscape for early‑career ACAs remains robust. Employers are increasingly focused on building strong talent pipelines, and ACA‑qualified professionals — particularly those within their first three years post‑qualification — continue to be viewed as high‑impact, high‑potential hires. This is driven by their technical excellence, adaptability, and ability to contribute to transformation initiatives from an early stage. Although macro‑economic and geopolitical uncertainties persist, employers consistently prioritise finance talent capable of delivering governance, control, and operational efficiency. As a result, newly and recently qualified Chartered Accountants remain in steady demand, and the market outlook for 2026 at this level is positive. Where newly and recently qualified ACAs are most in demand Professional services Firms are actively hiring newly qualified accountants into: Audit and assurance Advisory (deals, consulting, risk, restructuring) Outsourced finance solutions Tax (corporate, international, indirect) Large practices continue to rely heavily on newly qualified talent as part of their growth strategies. Regional offices are also expanding, providing more opportunities outside Dublin and Belfast. Large corporates and multinationals After a slower period in 2024/2025, hiring has begun to normalise, particularly for: Financial accounting Internal audit and controls FP&A and commercial finance Global mobility and secondment programmes Multinationals remain particularly attracted to ACA-trained early‑career accountants due to their technical grounding and strong reporting discipline. SMEs and local businesses There is sustained demand for new ACAs across: Manufacturing Agri-food Tech scale-ups Professional services Local industry in regional hubs These roles often offer broader exposure and faster progression. Where the roles will be located Dublin Newly qualified ACAs in Dublin will find strong demand in: Technology (including transformation and financial governance roles) Financial services (asset management, banking, insurance) Shared services/GBS centres Life sciences and pharmaceuticals Finance teams are expanding due to regulatory pressures, transformation initiatives, and increased focus on data‑driven decision-making. Regional Ireland Regional recruitment increased notably in 2025 and is set to continue through 2026, driven by: Growth in professional services firms outside Dublin Investment in regional technology and manufacturing hubs Greater flexibility allowing hybrid roles based outside the capital Northern Ireland Belfast continues to offer strong routes for new ACAs, particularly in: Professional services Public sector transformation Tech and Fintech Manufacturing and engineering The public sector continues to seek early‑career qualified accountants due to ongoing reform and transformation initiatives. International opportunities Newly qualified ACAs remain highly sought after globally, with strong demand in: Australia UAE Canada US Cayman Islands Many of these markets recruit heavily at the newly qualified level due to the ACA’s international reputation. Salary trends for newly and recently qualified ACAs Salary growth has stabilised after inflation-driven increases in recent years. For 2026: Base salaries for newly qualified ACAs are expected to remain steady, with modest increases in high-demand sectors. FP&A, data analytics, advisory, and transformation-focused roles may carry salary premiums. Bonus structures remain attractive and tied to performance. Benefits packages continue to evolve, with employers competing through: Increased annual leave Health and wellbeing supports Further flexibility options A key point: newly qualified members increasingly choose roles based on hybrid working and work-life balance, not just salary. Hybrid and remote working Hybrid is now standard for most roles suitable for newly qualified ACAs. Typical arrangements: Two to three days per week in the office Fully remote roles continue to be rare but exist in isolated cases (mainly shared services or tech‑enabled roles) Early-career candidates may be encouraged to attend the office more frequently to accelerate learning and networking Skills in highest demand for new and recent ACAs Technical strength Still foundational and non‑negotiable: Strong IFRS/FRS102 reporting knowledge Quality monthly/quarterly close experience Governance, controls and audit discipline Data and digital literacy Demand is accelerating for ACAs who can work with: Power BI or similar visualisation tools ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Workday) Automation platforms Finance transformation tools These skills are becoming essential at newly qualified level - not differentiators. Communication and stakeholder skills Particularly important as new ACAs move into: Business partnering Commercial finance Internal audit and transformation projects Project and transformation experience Early exposure to: Systems implementations Process optimisation Automation initiatives is increasingly valuable. Leadership and career potential Employers want newly qualified ACAs who demonstrate: Proactivity Curiosity Ability to influence Desire to grow into leadership roles High‑potential candidates are being identified - and invested in - earlier. Interview and recruitment trends for new ACAs Virtual screening and in‑person final interviews remains the typical process. Competency-based interviews continue to be standard, with a strong focus on examples demonstrating impact, influence, and decision‑making. AI‑supported screening is becoming more common, especially in large organisations. Hiring processes are becoming more drawn‑out due to increased competition and more rigorous selection stages. Conclusion The 2026 employment landscape for newly and recently qualified ACAs is broadly positive. Demand remains strong across practice, industry, financial services, and internationally. To remain competitive, newly qualified members should: Stay informed about evolving skills requirements Strengthen digital and data capabilities Articulate their impact clearly in interviews Focus on roles offering learning, exposure, and development—not just salary Early‑career ACAs remain one of the most employable cohorts in the market, and the outlook for 2026 reflects continued strong opportunities for growth and progression.