The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation have published the Fiscal Monitor for June 2026 confirming an Exchequer surplus of €0.7 billion for the first six months of 2026. Compared with the €4.5 billion surplus recorded in the corresponding period last year, this represents a year-on-year decrease of €3.8 billion; however, the result remains broadly consistent with expectations. When the Apple State Aid receipts are excluded, the underlying Exchequer balance fell by €0.5 billion.
Tax receipts collected for the first half of 2026 were €50.0 billion, an increase of 1.2 percent on the same period in 2025. However, excluding the Apple State Aid receipts, total tax receipts were up by €2.3 billion on the first six months of 2025.
Income tax receipts for the month of June were €2.9 billion which was €0.1 billion ahead of receipts collected in June 2025. On a year-to-date basis, receipts for the first six months of 2026 of €18.6 billion were also ahead of the same period last year by €1.2 billion and in line with profile.
Corporation tax receipts of €7.5 billion were collected in June, reflecting the timing of the first preliminary tax payment obligation for large companies with a December year end. On a cumulative basis to end of June 2026, receipts of €13.7 billion were up by €0.6 billion on the same period last year.
June is a non- VAT due month, and modest receipts of €0.2 billion were collected in the month, however the cumulative receipts for the first half of 2026 of €12.5 billion were ahead of last year by €0.9 billion and somewhat ahead of target.
Commenting on the figures, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris said:
“Tax receipts in the first half of the year are positive and very much in line with our expectations
In terms of the individual tax headings, income tax receipts remain solid reflecting the ongoing strength of the labour market.
June is always an important month for corporation tax receipts; the tax-take from this revenue stream is very much in line with my Department’s expectations. I would highlight once again, however, that these revenues are highly volatile.”
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