Revenue has updated its guidance on income tax relief for health insurance covering medical and /or dental benefits to outline an administrative practice that will take effect from 1 January 2026.  From this date, Revenue will accept that the standard rate of tax, currently 20 percent, will apply to all health insurance policies providing medical cover. This rate will be applied to the lesser of the premium paid or the applicable cap. Prior to 1 January 2026, where a health insurance policy covers both eligible and ineligible benefits for income tax relief purposes under section 469 TCA 1999, a blended rate of tax relief is applied. The pre-1 January 2026 position will continue to apply to health insurance policies providing dental cover. The guide provides examples of the pre and post 1 January 2026 position in section two. From an administrative perspective, the guidance has been renamed and details relating to the tax treatment of premium refunds made due to Covid-19 has been removed as it is no longer relevant. Revenue contact details in respect of claims by authorised insurers has also been updated in the guidance.

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. Miscellaneous guidance updates and publications This week’s miscellaneous guidance updates and publications are as follows: CDS Declaration Completion Instructions for Imports Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme registered businesses list External temporary storage facilities codes for Data Element 5/23 of the Customs Declaration Service Data Element 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes (Union) of the Customs Declaration Service Check if a business holds Authorised Economic Operator status Additional Information (AI) Statement Codes for Data Element 2/2 of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) Reference Documents for The Customs Tariff (Preferential Trade Arrangements) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 Check if you can claim a waiver for goods brought into Northern Ireland HMRC email updates, videos and webinars for VAT Designated land, sea and air ports for trading or moving CITES-listed endangered species

The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have published the Fiscal Monitor for October 2025 confirming an Exchequer deficit of €0.9 billion to the end of October. This compares to a surplus of €1.3 billion recorded for the same period last year and is impacted by receipts arising from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling in the Apple State Aid case. When these receipts are excluded from total receipts in 2024 and 2025, an underlying deficit of €4.2 billion was recorded which represents a deterioration of €2.3 billion on the same period last year. Tax receipts collected to the end of October were €78.8 billion, which was €2.4 billion higher than the same period in 2024. Excluding the once off receipts from CJEU judgement in the Apple State Aid case, total receipts amounted to €77.0 billion, an increase of €3.8 billion on the corresponding period in 2024. Income tax receipts for the month of October were €2.9 billion which was a reduction of €0.2 billion on receipts collected in October 2024. On a year-to-date basis, receipts to the end of October of €28.7 billion were up by €1.1 billion, when compared to end of October 2024. Corporation tax receipts of €1.1 billion were collected in October, a decrease of €2.4 billion on the same month in 2024. On a cumulative basis, receipts of €21.1 billion were down by €0.3 billion on the same period last year. When the once-off CJEU receipts are excluded, cumulative corporation tax receipts to October 2025 amounted to €19.4 billion, up on the same period last year by €1.1 billion. October is not a VAT due month, with modest VAT receipts collected of €0.3 billion. Cumulative receipts of €19.1 billion were ahead by 4.3 percent on end of October last year. Commenting on the figures, Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe said: “Today’s figures are broadly consistent with the updated fiscal projections published as part of Budget 2026. Those projections, which I published on Budget Day, incorporated a substantial upward revision to revenues, mostly on corporation tax.”

In this week’s detailed miscellaneous updates which you can read more about below, we bring you updates on guidance for contractors and subcontractors within the Construction Industry Scheme, the updated VAT registrations manual, and HMRC’s agent escalation and resolutions service. HMRC email updates, videos and webinars for the Construction Industry Scheme HMRC has updated its guidance on paying tax and record keeping for the Construction Industry Scheme for contractors and subcontractors. You can subscribe to receive email updates, view webinars on various matters, and find information on fraud in the labour supply chain. HMRC updates its VAT registration manual HMRC has updated its guidance on VAT, including information on whether someone must register VAT, when they may register for VAT, and how to deal with changes to details held on the VAT register. HMRC agent escalation and resolution services HMRC has provided updated guidance on its agent services. You can read information on tracking the progress of a query and when you can expect a reply, how to use the HMRC service’s dashboard, the Agent Account Managers service, and other tools.

Finance Bill 2025 has completed its third stage through the Oireachtas with the Bill being reviewed section by section as part of the Committee Stage. The amendments arising from this review were published last week in the Finance Bill 2025 Committee Stage Amendments. The Institute, under the auspices of CCAB-I, have been actively engaging with the Department of Finance and Revenue on proposed changes and clarifications to the Finance Bill. The Committee Stage amendments provide the opportunity to address some of the concerns raised and provide additional details on proposed changes.

Last week, HMRC launched its refreshed mobile app (available on Android and iPhone) as part of Talk Money Week. HMRC encourages taxpayers to use the app to support financial conversations and get information about your tax, National Insurance and State Pension forecast. The theme of this year’s Talk Money Week was ‘start the conversation’ and the app can provide the starting point for these discussions. The app has been used by more than 5.6 million since 6 April 2025 and the most popular services used are: Checking pay before it lands in the bank account and other Pay As You Earn (PAYE) information Viewing the annual tax summary – 1.94 million users Viewing or saving their National Insurance number or checking contributions Checking their State Pension forecast Viewing the Self Assessment summary and making payments.

Revenue has published updated guidance on the Keep Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP) clarifying that the limits applicable to a qualifying share option must be met at the time the option is granted. The Institute, under the auspices of CCAB-I, had sought this clarification through the TALC Direct and Capital Taxes subcommittee, and welcomes the confirmation in the updated guidance. The limits outlined in the definition of qualifying share option confirm that the total market value of the share options which may be granted to any one employee/director cannot exceed €100,000 in any one year of assessment or €300,000 in all years of assessment. The updated guidance confirms in paragraphs 9.3.1 and 9.3.2 that these limits must be satisfied at the date a share option is granted. Examples 2,3,4 and 11 have also been updated to reflect this clarification.

Revenue issued a press release last week confirming an extension of the deadline for filing Local Property Tax (LPT) returns for the 2026-2030 period to 5:30pm on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. Revenue’s LPT helpline will also operate extended opening hours in the lead-up to the new deadline. We have been closely engaging with Revenue as last week’s deadline approached, and we are pleased to see this pragmatic approach to filing adopted. Revenue confirmed that LPT returns in respect of approximately 1.4 million properties have been filed to date and property owners are encouraged to submit their Local Property Tax (LPT) returns online using myAccount, ROS, or the LPT portal.  Revenue has outlined that a practical and fair approach will be taken, with property owners wishing to pay by monthly Direct Debit or Deduction at Source being encouraged to file their returns as soon as possible, as these payment options must be arranged in advance.

The heads of tax administrations from EU Member States and representatives from candidate countries attended the annual summit of EU Tax Administrations last week.  The summit concluded with a renewed focus on modernising EU tax governance through digital resilience in a climate of geopolitical and technological volatility. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation between Member States, and the gradual integration of candidate countries.

The OECD has published a working paper on the current reform of Brazil’s consumption tax system replacing the five main consumption taxes with a dual VAT system consisting of a Federal VAT and a State and Municipal VAT. The paper considers challenges, solutions, transition to and management of the new regime.

Revenue has announced today that it is extending the Local Property Tax (LPT) filing deadline to 5.30pm on Wednesday, 12 November 2025. To support property owners, Revenue’s LPT Helpline (01 738 3626) will operate extended opening hours in the lead-up to the new deadline. For Monday and Tuesday, the LPT Helpline will operate between 9.00am and 8.00pm and on Wednesday it will operate from 9.00am to 4.30pm.  You can read the full press release here.

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin, read about the report warning how extreme weather events will test Ireland’s economic and financial resilience and the Department of Finance’s report into potential long-term impacts of global megatrends, like climate change, on Ireland’s economy and public finances. Also covered is the announcement by the EIB of new support to develop Ireland’s district heating systems, the agreement by EU Member States on emissions targets, the proposed changes to carbon accounting, and the landmark European Court of Human Rights ruling setting a precedent for climate accountability, as well as the usual articles, jobs and upcoming events.   IRELAND Report into climate adaptation finance identifies shortfalls in Ireland’s resilience A new joint report by the Climate Change Advisory Council and the Central Bank of Ireland has warned that the deployment of climate adaptation finance is below what is required to address the escalating risks posed by climate change. Without action, the impact of extreme weather events will test Ireland’s economic and financial resilience. The report, Funding Climate Adaptation in Ireland, emphasises the importance of credible transition plans to build resilience in the financial sector and contribute to a resilient economy. Actionable solutions include transition planning that incorporates adaptation, and the development of scalable, investable project models, and a register of successful adaptation projects to build momentum and share solutions. Report publishes on long-term fiscal and economic assessment of Ireland’s needs The Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, has published Future Forty: A Fiscal and Economic Outlook to 2065 examining the long-term impacts of global megatrends and other structural shifts and their potential impact on Ireland’s economy and public finances in the years ahead. In total, over 2,000 scenarios have been modelled, which collectively point to a continued growth in living standards, but with slowing growth over the long-term, and a steady decline of our fiscal position. Among the key economic and fiscal drivers identified as contributing to this is the long-term costs of decarbonisation and climate mitigation along with demographic shifts and slowing productivity, and a slowdown in corporation tax receipts. The next decade is highlighted as a window of critical opportunity to boost economic growth potential, address the structural challenges and avail of the opportunities that may lie ahead. Ireland responds to EU’s proposed 2040 climate target Ireland’s Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the EU’s agreement on a proposed 2040 climate target and updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) (see below), praising in particular its recognition of “the particular characteristics of our agriculture sector” and the importance of energy affordability and social cohesion. The announcement follows the publication of reports by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ireland is significantly off  track to meet its legally binding 2030 emissions reduction goals, with agriculture accounting for over 37.8 percent of Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions — the largest share of any sector. Other reports point to continued degradation of Ireland’s water quality caused by excess nutrients from agriculture, urban wastewater and other human activities. Separately, Taoiseach Michael Martin attended the two-day World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Belém, Brazil, which brings together heads of state and government, ministers, and leaders of international organizations to discuss pressing climate change challenges and commitments. Commenting, Taoiseach Martin said that there needs to be more leaders "ready to tell it as it is" and that Ireland is adapting by investing in flood relief schemes and coastal defences, early-warning systems and sustainable agriculture and industrial practices. Over the coming weeks Chartered Accountants Ireland will provide coverage of the climate summit, and potential impacts to business on its Sustainability Centre. European Investment Bank (EIB) announces new supports for Ireland’s district heating The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced new technical and financial advisory support to help Ireland develop district heating systems. Heating accounts for more than one-third of Ireland’s energy-related emissions, with more than 80 percent of households still relying on fossil fuels. District heating—common across Nordic and central European countries—offers a proven way to decarbonise heating by using renewable, waste, and low-carbon heat sources. It also provides more stable, predictable costs and the opportunity to shield connected households from market volatility.  Ireland’s networks currently supply less than 1 percent of national heat demand, highlighting a major opportunity for growth. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has opened an Expression of Interest (EoI) through the SEAI website, for interested parties to be considered for the fund. EUROPE Member States agree on emissions targets Member States of the European Union have agreed on new EU Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30). This annual global climate change conference begins in Belém, Brazil, on 10 November. The new EU NDC, which will now be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is to reduce net GHG emissions by 66.25 –72.5 % below 1990 levels by 2035, and by 90 percent by 2040. The agreement followed protracted talks among environment ministers in Brussels and included flexibility about how that target could be met, such as the ability to buy carbon “credits” to allow EU countries to finance climate action elsewhere and count that financing towards up to 5 percent of their own reduction targets. This has drawn criticism as allowing for carbon credits means the actual impact on reductions in emissions could be lower than what is needed to arrest climate change. The 2040 climate target can become law following approval by MEPs in the European Parliament. European Union ‘largely on track’ to achieve 2030 targets A report published by the European Environment Agency has found that the European Union remains largely on track to achieve its 2030 targets to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. Trends and projections in Europe 2025 estimates that total net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by a further 2.5 percent in 2024. It further found that EU Member States are expected to collectively achieve a net emissions reduction of 54 percent by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, which is just under the 55 percent reduction target. The report also notes that while several developments will require focused attention in the coming years, the foundation for progress is in place: recent years have seen a rapid acceleration in emission reductions and the emergence of numerous technological and policy solutions. However, it also underscores the scale of the remaining challenge — in particular, the need to strengthen more resilient carbon sinks, accelerate transport decarbonisation and ensure delivery at national level. Separately the latest European Environment Agency (EEA) review of national climate adaptation actions highlights that while European countries have made substantial progress in planning for climate adaptation and with adopting policies, implementation and evaluation need to be significantly strengthened to ensure actions effectively address the escalating climate risks Europe faces. WORLD COP30 “Return on Action” Campaign The We Mean Business Coalition, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and partners are inviting companies to participate in the COP30 “Return on Action” campaign. The initiative showcases how corporate climate action is delivering tangible benefits — from green jobs and energy security to cost savings and sustainable growth. The aim is to “send a clear signal to Heads of State, environment ministers, fellow corporate leaders and concerned citizens, that business remains committed to deliver on the promise of the Paris Agreement” .Their goal is to take over the online conversation for 24 hours during the COP30 negotiations, thereby generating media coverage, and “send an unmissable message to policy makers and the public about the unstoppable momentum of corporate climate leadership.” Businesses are encouraged to submit case studies demonstrating impact, which will be reshared globally on 12 November during COP30 to highlight collective momentum and reinforce commitment to the Paris Agreement. For more information or to get involved, contact cop@wmbcoalition.org  or access the Q&A here. Proposed changes to carbon accounting The Greenhouse Gas Protocol, the leading international standard for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions from companies and governments, has launched a public consultation for updates to its guidance on Scope 2 emissions, i.e. emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat, and cooling. The proposed revisions aim to improve accuracy while keeping reporting clear, consistent, and manageable for organisations of all sizes and reflecting the world’s rapidly changing energy landscape. Proposals involve stricter requirements for both location- and market-based reporting, with final revisions expected in 2027. The 60-day public consultation period began on October 20, 2025 and will run until December 19, 2025. Landmark ruling sets precedent for climate accountability The European Court of Human Rights has reportedly set a precedent for climate accountability in a landmark ruling on the case of Greenpeace Nordic and Others v. Norway. The Court held that when making a decision in the context of the environment and climate change, the State had to carry out an adequate, timely and comprehensive environmental impact assessment in good faith, and based on the best available science. The case began in 2016 with Greenpeace Nordic, Nature and Youth, and six activists challenging Norway’s decision to open parts of the Barents Sea to oil exploration, arguing that the licences violated their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. The impact of setting science-based targets on businesses The SBTi has released a new report demonstrating that science-based targets deliver competitive advantage—not just climate impact. In The Impact of Setting Science-Based Targets on Businesses report, a survey of 171 companies, a literature review of 22 studies, and three case studies indicate that companies benefit from a wide range of positive effects as a result of setting science-based targets. This ranges from improved investor relations to better financing terms, enhanced strategic cohesion, more alignment with suppliers, and resilience across multiple areas of risk, in addition to higher climate ambition and a faster pace of decarbonisation. Articles Turning Uncertainty into Action: Why Every Business Needs a Climate Transition Plan (IBEC) DEI isn’t dead, it’s just reincarnating (Financial Times) Climate and affordability are at the heart of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral bid (Sustainable Views – Subscription needed) Critical minerals shortage threatens EU energy transition (Accountancy Ireland - Briefly)   Jobs Financial Services - Climate Change and Sustainability Services - Senior Consultant (EY)   Events Business for Biodiversity Ireland, Supporting Action for Business & Biodiversity BFBI, in partnership with Waterford City & County Council Climate Action Team, will host a free webinar to help Irish businesses understand their relationship with nature and develop a strong Nature Strategy. The session will explore how biodiversity adds value and resilience to organisations. Online, 11 November 2025, 11:00am–12:00pm Irish Green Building Council, IGBC Lunch & Learn: Promoting Business Benefits of Sustainable Strategies for SMEs This one-hour webinar, hosted in collaboration with Bank of Ireland, explores how SMEs can unlock business value through sustainability—covering cost savings, brand enhancement, and access to financial supports, with expert insights and practical tools including the Sustainability Business Coach Virtual, Wednesday 12 November 2025, 1:00pm – 2:00pm Ibec Networks Autumn Seminar Series, Session 4: The culture of sustainability innovation The final webinar in a four-part series Autumn Seminar Series ‘The culture equation’ looks at what supports are available to assist on a journey to becoming a more sustainable business. In the supporting case study from O'Brien's Fine Foods the webinar will discuss what drives a sustainability focused culture in an organisation. Virtual, Thursday 13 November, 11.00-11.50am Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), SEAI Webinar: Supporting SMEs on the Path to Sustainability This webinar will explore how small and medium-sized enterprises can adopt sustainable practices, reduce energy costs, and access available supports. The session will include expert guidance and practical tools tailored to SME needs. Virtual, Thursday 14 November 2025, 11:00am – 12:00pm  iQuest / Business Post Live, ESG Summit Autumn 2025 This ESG Summit will explore how sustainability is becoming central to business strategy. With a focus on regulatory shifts, climate transition planning, ESG data governance, and nature-positive outcomes, the event brings together business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals to share insights and practical strategies. In-person, 20 November 2025, 8:45am–5:00pm, Croke Park, Dublin  Business in the Community Ireland, Launch of Ireland’s First Climate Transition Plan Scorecard BITCI, in partnership with DCU Institute for Climate and Society, will launch Ireland’s first Climate Transition Plan Scorecard. The Scorecard assesses corporate climate plans across nine key areas and is part of BITCI’s Accelerate campaign. In-person, 20 November 2025, 3:00pm–4:00pm (wine reception until 5:00pm),  Sky Suite, Radisson Blu, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 IBEC, Preparing for Severe Weather Events Severe weather conditions can cause major disruption to roads, bus or train infrastructure and therefore, the operation of your business. In this webinar, Dr. Michael Gillen, Head of OSH Policy will review the key points to consider, practical steps and control measures you can put in place. Virtual, 26 November 11:00 - 11:45 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Network for Chartered Accountants working in ESG This informal network offers Chartered Accountants working in ESG/Sustainability a space to connect, share insights, and discuss challenges and opportunities in the field. Members working on ESG-related projects are encouraged to join and contribute to the conversation. Online, 19 November 2025, 2:00pm–3:00pm, Email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie to join   Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.