This week the Institute made an important submission to the Cost of Business Advisory Forum being run by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.  This round of consultation focussed on the reporting and compliance burdens that are placed on businesses. In the submission, the Institute argued that there was a need for a cross-Government simplification drive here in Ireland. The Institute outlined clear evidence of where the reporting and compliance obligations are overburdensome and overly complex. The difficulty in accessing Government supports and tax reliefs has been consistently raised by members and the Institute outlined clear cases where SMEs are discouraged from applying for certain supports due to the administrative burden involved. The Enhanced SME test is designed to sense check every proposal coming from Government to see if it is placing an undue and disproportionate burden on SMEs. Yet there is concern that this test is not being applied and the Institute outlined some key examples where this has been the case. On the tax side, the major issues facing businesses in relation to the Enhanced Reporting Requirements was highlighted in the submission in detail and the Institute called for a review of the real-time reporting requirement. It was also pointed out that the previous simplification process run by Revenue was too restrictive by only focussing on administrative issues and it did not extend to policy and legislative issues. From a European perspective, the Institute urged the Government to get behind the European Commission’s simplification agenda and to use its Presidency of the Council of the European Union to advance important files like the Digital Omnibus, the Tax Omnibus, the Savings and Investment Union and the 28th Regime. Following this submission, the Institute will be attending the next meeting of the Forum on 18 February 2026 which will focus on reporting and compliance, and the Institute will further articulate the need for a cross Government initiative to drive the simplification agenda.  

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. .

From the Professional Accountancy team…... In January 2026 ,Chartered Accountants Ireland hosted an online webinar with the Central Bank of Ireland ,the Irish Revenue Commissioners  and the EU Sanctions Helpdesk on  the essentials of EU sanctions compliance, the support available to Irish businesses, and how the EU Sanctions Helpdesk assists SMEs. Content included some  real-world case studies and  a questions and answers session  with the panel.   This information is provided as resources and information only and nothing in these pages 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 pages. 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 these pages, 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 in these pages.    

In Irish news, the Institute highlights the administrative burden arising from cross border and hybrid working arrangements and Revenue issues preliminary PAYE statistics for 2025. In UK news this week, the Institute issues a call for action to prepare for Making Tax Digital for income tax, and we’d like to hear from you on the call for evidence looking at tax supports for entrepreneurs. In International news, the European Parliament recently hosted a public hearing on tackling tax obstacles in the Single Market.  Ireland 1. Read about the administrative challenges of cross‑border and hybrid working raised by the Institute in recent letters to Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris and Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke. 2. Revenue has recently published statistics relating to 2025 PAYE tax returns. UK 3. The Institute is urging impacted sole traders and landlords to prepare for Making Tax Digital for income tax which commences on 6 April 2026. 4. Read about how to you can provide input to the call for evidence launched by the UK Government on tax supports for entrepreneurs. International 5. Read about the recent public hearing held by the European Parliament on addressing tax obstacles in the Single Market including related background information. 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 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.