Ahead of HMRC’s Annual Stakeholder Conference which takes place in London tomorrow, the Institute has written a letter of introduction to HMRC’s new CEO setting out four key issues on its agenda. The Institute will be represented at the conference and will report back on the conference in next week’s Chartered Accountants Tax News. This year the conference theme is “Navigating the future together: the Transformation Roadmap in Action”.  The four key issues covered in the letter to JP Marks are: The Institute’s campaign for a lower rate of corporation tax in Northern Ireland, The tax burden and complexity arising from cross-border and remote/hybrid working, Tax simplification and the lack of progress in this area, and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and the implementation of mandatory tax adviser registration from 1 April 2026. 

In a detailed miscellaneous update this week which you can read more about below, HMRC is seeking research participants for its project looking at multi-factor authentication (MFA) for agents. In other news this week: The House of Commons library has published a research briefing listing some of the most useful sources on tax law, policy and statistics, in addition to guidance for taxpayers, The latest fuel advisory rates applicable 1 September 2025 from have been published; notable in these is that there are now two advisory electric rates for company car drivers which depend on where a vehicle is charged, Today, 15 September 2025, is the deadline to opt out of winter fuel payments, which you can read more about in a previous news story, The latest schedule of HMRC Talking Points live and recorded webinars for tax agents are available for booking. Spaces are limited, so take a look now and save your place. A webinar is also taking place tomorrow on statutory maternity and paternity pay, in addition to webinars on 16 and 17 September covering the National Minimum Wage, and Check HMRC’s online services availability page for details of planned downtime and the online services affected. HMRC seek research participants for MFA HMRC is seeking agent volunteers to participate in its project on introducing MFA for agents. HMRC has therefore asked us to share the following message which provides more information: “Request for user research volunteers for MFA discussions HMRC is expanding the implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all agents and want to engage with specific agent groups about its introduction. HMRC already uses MFA to enhance the security of Government Gateway accounts for all individuals and organisations, adding an extra layer of protection. We want to work collaboratively on the introduction of MFA so we’re looking for your help in identifying agents to take part in individual user research sessions. These will provide an opportunity for us to gather insight on the working processes within different types of agents and the operational requirements they need for implementation. We would like to speak with 6-8 representatives from each of the following agent types: Group 1 – Sole practitioners and micro firms (0-9 employees), Group 2 – Mid-sized and smaller firms (10-49 employees), and Group 3 – Large agents (50+ employees). Sessions are expected to last 60 minutes running across the month of September. When responding to us please reply to: customerengagementforums@hmrc.gov.uk and include ‘MFA volunteer’ in the subject line. Please also indicate the size of the firm the volunteer represents by indicating which of the 3 groups you belong to when replying.”

With just over six months to go to the commencement of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, the Institute is inviting tax agents and businesses affected by this change to take a short eight question survey. The survey is being used as a temperature check to assess readiness and will be open until the end of this month. Its results will be compared with an earlier survey from April this year and will enable us to present direct evidence of the challenges to HMRC. Take the survey now. We also remind readers that the second of two CPD webinars on MTD for Income Tax takes place later this week, tomorrow Tuesday 16 September. This webinar will be delivered by HMRC’s MTD team.

In this week’s Sustainability/ESG Bulletin read about sustainability in the Irish Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity. Also covered are recommendations from the Climate Change Advisory Council on solar PV, a new report on the Voluntary Nature Market in Ireland, the Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme in Northern Ireland, Spain’s State pact to tackle the climate emergency – including by mandating ESG reporting – and the landmark partnership between the ISO and GHG Protocol to co-develop new standards for GHG emissions accounting and reporting, along with the usual articles, resources and upcoming events.   IRELAND Sustainability in the Government’s Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has this week published an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, with 85 actions for enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity performance. Among the six themes into which these actions are grouped is “growing sustainable Irish businesses and boosting regional development”.  Read more about sustainability in the Action Plan. Climate Change Advisory Council calls for accelerated roll out of solar PV The Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) in its recently published Annual Review 2025 has called for an accelerated rollout of solar PV for commercial and public buildings to help manage energy costs. With increasing challenges around global competitiveness, the Council warns that although industrial emissions reduced by 4.6 percent in 2024 – mainly due to a decline in cement volumes – Ireland has not yet broken the link between production levels and emissions in the industrial sector. The Council also warns that the volume of waste generated remains too high with Ireland’s circularity rate of 2.3 percent falling well below the EU average of 11.8 percent. Voluntary nature market could unlock private finance for Irish ecosystems, report finds A Voluntary Nature Market featuring nature ‘credits’ has the potential to close the multi-billion-euro nature funding gap in Ireland, according to a new report published last week by Trinity College Dublin and BiOrbic Research Ireland Centre for Bioeconomy.  The report, ‘The Voluntary Nature Market in Ireland: State of Play, September 2025’, maps out the key challenges and opportunities in Ireland’s Voluntary Nature Market and calls for the development of a high-integrity, transparent, and durable market. Commenting, the report’s lead author Orlaith Delargy said: “The EU estimates a shortfall of €37 billion per year between current spending and what’s needed to meet our nature goals. To address this gap, new ways of financing action on the ground are needed … A Voluntary Nature Market, similar to the Voluntary Carbon Market, could channel private investment to local projects that restore ecosystems and support communities.”   NORTHERN IRELAND/UK Small businesses urged to register for Extended Producer Responsibility scheme For the first time companies in Northern Ireland with an annual turnover of more than £1million and responsibility for over 25 tonnes of packaging each year need to record and report their packaging data under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, a UK-wide reform of an existing Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging. Among its core aims are increasing recycling rates of packaging, reducing waste and non-recyclable material being placed on the market and shifting the costs of managing household and street-binned packaging waste to producers of packaging. The new EPR scheme also marks significant changes for larger organisations in Northern Ireland which are now obliged to report recorded data every six months and will for the first time be liable for the full cost of managing packaging waste including costs associated with the collection, sorting, and treatment of household waste. Renewable electricity consumption – Northern Ireland   A total of 43.1 percent of total electricity consumed between June 2024 and June 2025 was generated from renewable sources located in Northern Ireland. This represents a decrease of 2.8 percentage points on the previous 12-month period (year ending June 2024). The ‘Electricity Consumption and Renewable Generation in Northern Ireland: Year ending June 2025’, which published this week, details the percentage of electricity consumption in Northern Ireland generated from renewable sources and includes information on the type of renewable generation. Of all renewable electricity generated within Northern Ireland over the 12-month period 81.7 percent was generated from wind down from 82.3 percent the previous year. EUROPE Spain mandates ESG reporting The Government of Spain has presented its proposal for a State Pact to tackle the climate emergency, in which it reportedly plans to make carbon reporting mandatory. Royal Decree 214/2025, establishing new national carbon reporting framework, represents Spain's most ambitious corporate carbon reporting mandate to date, locally implementing key elements of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The regulation is to take immediately effect, with first reports due in the 2026 for 2025 emissions data. EU Parliament adopts simplifications to the EU carbon leakage instrument The EU Parliament has given its final green light to changes to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The changes, which are part of the Omnibus I simplification package presented on 26 February 2025, are part of simplification efforts to reduce the administrative burden for SMEs and occasional importers. A new threshold will exempt 90 percent of importers from the EU CBAM rules and procedures for imports covered by CBAM rules will also be simplified. The statement claims that climate ambition maintained as 99 percent of CO2 emissions from iron, steel, aluminium and cement imports will still be covered. WORLD ISO and GHG Protocol announce strategic partnership for emissions accounting The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) have announced a landmark partnership to harmonize their existing portfolios of greenhouse gas (GHG) standards and to co-develop new standards for GHG emissions accounting and reporting. The partnership will produce a common global language for emissions accounting, which will accelerate progress towards decarbonisation. The partnership represents a fundamental shift toward integration and co-development, enabling users to rely on a coherent framework and reducing potential confusion in the market. More information about ISO is available at www.iso.org. More information about GHG Protocol is available at www.ghgprotocol.org. Resources from Chartered Accountants Ireland Sustainability-focused specialist qualifications Chartered Accountants Ireland has launched its Autumn/Winter programme offering, which includes the Certificate in Sustainability Strategy, Risk and Reporting (Starting 7 October). Technical updates The latest edition of the Technical Roundup 5 September from our Professional Accounting team contains updates from 1 July 2025, including a lengthy section on sustainability reporting, sustainability assurance, and sustainable finance. Resources The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board is hosting a three-part global webinar series designed to assist sustainability assurance practitioners, firms, jurisdictional standard setters, and professional organizations as they adopt, implement, or apply International Standard on Sustainability Assurance (ISSA) 5000, General Requirements for Sustainability Assurance Engagements (ISSA 5000) Regulators, oversight bodies, and other stakeholders (e.g., preparers, those charged with governance or users of sustainability reporting) may also find these webinars helpful. The International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) is offering up to six grants of $2,000 USD for research related to topics that can help IPSASB with its current and future projects including sustainability reporting. Interested parties should submit abstracts related to selected topics by September 15, 2025. Final selected papers will be due May 16, 2026 and papers will be presented at the 2026 Research Forum in partnership with the Comparative International Governmental Accounting Research (CIGAR) Network. Accounting for Sustainability (A4S) has issued a guide offering four peer-tested practical actions for pension fund chairs and trustees to get started on addressing nature risks. The insights are based on input from pension fund participants during an A4S pension deep dive session. We recommend reading this in conjunction with A4S’s Nature top tips for pension fund chairs and trustees. Articles What do shifting sustainability regulations mean for business? (EY) Resistance to regulatory rollback on nature laws (Business for Biodiversity Ireland) Events Chartered Accountants Ireland, Engage with EFRAG on the Revised ESRS consultation (ROI/NI) Are you ready to shape the future of ESG disclosures? Join Chartered Accountants Ireland for a virtual outreach event featuring EFRAG, as they dive into the Revised ESRS Exposure Drafts—with a special focus on preparers. 1 hour CPD. Virtual, 23 September, 11:30–13:30 Antaris Consulting in collaboration with The ESG Circle, Embedding Sustainability: From Global Agreements to Organisational Culture Fireside chat  with Dr. Matt Kennedy, tracing the journey from global climate diplomacy to boardroom decisions. Will discuss what embeds sustainability in organisational culture - governance moves, metrics that matter and the capabilities middle managers need; plus how to navigate the ESG backlash by speaking the language of resilience and risk. Matt Kennedy is Head of Client Transformation in IDA Ireland where he leads transformation initiatives with international business, including a portfolio of R&D, digital, sustainability and talent development offerings, and, among other things, was Lead Negotiator for the European Union at the UN Paris Agreement (COP21) negotiations. Virtual, Wednesday, September 24, 4.00-5.30 Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy (CASE), The Northern Ireland Energy Summit Bringing together leaders from across the energy, infrastructure, business and policy landscape, the all-day conference will shine a light on how energy can help supercharge economic growth in Northern Ireland as we strive to meet ambitious climate targets. Key themes throughout the day will include connectivity and security of supply, alongside exploring the crucial role of communities in energy clusters and examining Northern Ireland’s unique agricultural proposition as an important enabler in the energy transition. In person, 8:30-16:30 Wednesday 24 September, International Convention Centre (ICC) Belfast. Dublin Chamber, Sustainability Academy Workshops This autumn, for the first time, all Sustainability Academy workshops will take place in person at Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2. Dublin Chamber is offering a special rate of €420 for those who register for the full series of five workshops (normally €495). This includes a free one-hour tailored advisory consultation with a sustainability expert from Goodbody Clearstream. Whether you're new to sustainability or looking to build on existing knowledge, this series provides a structured way to learn what matters and apply it in your role. Venue: Dublin Chamber, 7 Clare Street, Dublin 2 Chartered Accountants Ireland, Western Society SDG week Brigit's Garden tour Sustainable Development Goals Week Ireland 2025 will unite communities and businesses in a nationwide effort to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. We will mark the week with an interactive and engaging tour of Brigit's Garden finishing with a Brigit’s cross making demonstration and of course a coffee. Brigit‘s Garden is regarded as one of the most picturesque gardens of Ireland, set in 11 acres of beautiful grounds with many features to explore and delight in. In person, Saturday 27 September 2025 | 11:00am | Brigit's Garden, Roscahill, H91 CC90 Climate Cocktail Club, Climate Carnival Blending business, innovation, finance, music, activism and science for bold brave leadership, this pioneering two-day event for changemakers aims to inspire, entertain and explore radical and creative solutions to drive planetary impact now. In person, 29 – 30 September | Ballintubbert House, Ballintubbert House, Stradbally, Co. Laois, R14 E954. International Society of Sustainability Professionals Webinar: Driving Sustainable Change: Integrating Change Management for Positive Outcomes This webinar will delve into the critical role of change management in advancing sustainability initiatives. Participants will explore how effective change management strategies can lead to more impactful and lasting positive outcomes for both people and the planet. Through practical insights and real-world examples, this session aims to equip sustainability professionals with new knowledge and tools to drive meaningful change at multiple scales. Virtual, Tuesday, 30 September, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) Diversity Mark, Diversity Mark Annual Summit 2025 This event will explore how diversity and inclusion can drive sustainable business growth, gathering over 300 business leaders, executives, and inclusion advocates for a full-day programme featuring keynote speakers and breakout sessions. It aims to equip attendees with practical strategies to create more inclusive workplaces and foster meaningful change across sectors. In person, 8 October 2025, Titanic Belfast Accountancy Europe, Is the public sector sustainable? Find out about the latest developments to promote sustainability reporting alongside financial reporting in the public sector, the specific challenges facing the public sector, what can be learnt from experience in the private sector. Virtual, 8 October 2025, 14:30–16:00 CEST FTI Consulting, Women in Sustainability FTI Consulting is hosting its next women in sustainability networking event on 16 October. It's an evening get together for women in the sustainability space to connect and share insights. In person, 16 October, The Shelbourne Hotel An Taisce, Climate Action Week, 13 – 19 October 2025 Climate Action Week is Ireland’s largest pop-up climate festival and has been coordinated by An Taisce since 2017. On behalf of the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment the 9th festival will bring nationwide spaces that champion local planet protectors and welcome solution seekers to events that tackle the climate crisis in exciting and empowering ways. International Society of Sustainability Professionals Webinar: AI in Action: Practical Tools for Corporate Sustainability Impact Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations collect data, measure impact, and drive sustainability performance—but it can be difficult to separate the hype from the real-world applications. In this session, we’ll explore how corporate sustainability professionals can leverage AI to work smarter, not harder. Virtual, Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) 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 Sustainability Centre You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.

The Financial Reporting Council has issued two new Factsheets to support entities applying FRS 102 and FRS 105. There are currently eleven factsheets in issue and each Factsheet aims to assist stakeholders by highlighting certain requirements set out in FRS 102 and other FRSs. The following Factsheets have been issued; FRS Factsheet 12 - Presentation of the financial statements- This Factsheet sets out the financial statement presentation options available to entities. While the factsheet is primarily focussed on FRS 102, the considerations for entities applying FRS 101 and FRS 105 are also addressed. The Factsheet also considers the option available to FRS 102 preparers to adapt the format of the profit and loss account and balance sheet. FRS Factsheet 13 - The Going Concern Basis of Accounting for Small Companies and Micro-entities- This factsheet aims to assist directors of small companies and micro-entities on how to address going concern- both in terms of performing going concern assessments and in preparing financial statements disclosures about their conclusions on going concern.

  The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has this week published an Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, with 85 actions for enhancing Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity performance. Among the six themes into which these actions are grouped is “growing sustainable Irish businesses and boosting regional development”, under which are outlined the actions intended to support the development of a sustainable, resilient enterprise environment. The Action Plan is clear that decarbonisation and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, stating that “Our businesses, customers, workers, and the communities in which they are embedded, rightly expect that new industrial developments and successful Irish enterprises can and will operate in a manner consistent with the national objective of net zero emissions by 2050, and an ambitious trajectory of decarbonisation to that target.” As the broader trend toward sustainability expectations of companies is set to accelerate, it is encouraging to see the focus in the Action Plan on the alignment of sustainable Irish businesses with enterprise growth. Commenting, Susan Rossney, Institute Sustainability Advocacy Manager, said "Long term, organisations will only increase the alignment of their operations with global sustainability objectives. The Plan’s assertion that decarbonisation is not just an environmental imperative but a source of economic resilience, cost savings, and competitive advantage for industry and SMEs is one for which Chartered Accountants Ireland has advocated, and which we welcome in this Plan." Similarly, Chartered Accountants Ireland in its position paper Achieving Our Climate Goalshas called for the Government to support SMEs to embed sustainability in their operations; therefore, we welcome the Action Plan’s emphasis on the importance of independent advice and financial supports for SMEs in order to become more competitive and resilient through decarbonisation, while ensuring that the economic and commercial incentives for all businesses drive decarbonisation and the renewable energy revolution, with resilient employment and indigenous value creation over the medium term. We will continue to monitor the delivery of the elements in the implementation framework of the Plan, and to advocate for the clarity businesses and communities require to see plan translate to action.   

Tips and pointers for the busy filing season  Important dates For the majority of Irish companies, the following timelines apply: For a financial year end date of 31 December, the 30 September is the most common Annual Return Date (ARD). Therefore, by Tuesday 25 November, 56 days from the ARD, the company’s Annual Return, financial statements and signed signature page should be electronically filed (only-no manual filing is permitted). Please note that not every 31 December year end has an ARD of 30 September so it is important to confirm the ARD and then it is 56 days from that date. Please click here for the Companies Registration Office information on peak filing. File early! We would encourage presenters to file early if at all possible. Do not leave filing till the last minute. The Companies Registration Office’s (CRO) position on timing of receipt of a document is when it has been received by the CRO and not when it has been sent by you or your agent. Therefore, if there are delays in the system which result in the documents being received after midnight on 25th November then the document is late even if it had been sent before midnight. Also, early filing will help to avoid problems with potential CRO systems and resource deficiencies. At a stakeholder meeting with the CRO on 3 September 2025 the CRO reported that it has a backlog of 20,000 B1’s to process. They estimate that this is a 6-week backlog. They anticipate that this will reduce by the beginning of peak filing season, but early filing may mitigate potential difficulties and delays. Please click for more companies office information on common errors on form B1. Other matters to keep in mind Please also check if there have been any changes in the company since the last annual return and that the forms have been filed to reflect these changes, and then update the B1 accordingly. Confirm that if you are claiming any exemptions such as audit exemption, abridgement or Section 357 Guarantee you are entitled to do so and check if there have been changes in the company size or the group thresholds. Remember also that the financial statements must be uploaded before the signature page is generated so anyone leaving it to the last day will have to make sure that the director and secretary are available to sign if there is no electronic filing agent , EFA appointed to the company. Please note that the Companies Registration Office (CRO) will not accept electronically signed documents. The signature page(s) must be physically signed i.e. “wet ink” and then scanned for submission. If you require help with CORE or have technical issues with filing your annual return, please contact the CRO Helpdesk support@cro-helpdesk.cloud.gov.ie. Agents who use software packages should contact their software vendor directly for information in relation to technical issues, such as upgrades of these systems. All other queries for Annual Returns can be directed to the dedicated mailbox CRO Annual Returns annualreturns@cro.ie Adverse consequences of late filing Late filing can have the following adverse consequences: Late filing fees Loss of audit exemption. The rules have changed since July 2025 .Click for a news item on the changes to audit exemption rules Possible application to district court for extension of time to file Involuntary strike off of the company Disqualification of director 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.    

Mental health challenges can affect anyone, at any time. Recognising the early signs of emotional distress is key to preventing more serious issues and maintaining a healthy, fulfilling life. Recognising Depression Depression affects people in different ways, but common signs include: Loss of interest in usual activities Social withdrawal Persistent sadness or hopelessness Feelings of guilt or worthlessness Tearfulness or irritability Physical symptoms like aches, fatigue, or changes in appetite Difficulty concentrating Anxiety often coexists with depression In the 2024 Aware national survey, over half of adults (53%) reported experiencing depression at some point in their lives. The same study found that 20.9% of adults had an official diagnosis of depression. Depression is a very common condition and anyone can experience these feelings, it doesn’t discriminate.  If you’ve felt down or lost interest in things you usually enjoy for more than two weeks, it may be time to seek support. Depression can be triggered by stress, trauma, or life changes—but sometimes it arises without a clear cause. Understanding Anxiety Anxiety is a natural response to stress or perceived threats. It can show up as: Racing thoughts or excessive worry Physical symptoms like a churning stomach, rapid heartbeat, or breathlessness Difficulty concentrating or sleeping Avoidance of certain situations While occasional anxiety is normal, it becomes a concern when it interferes with daily life or feels overwhelming. Taking Action If you recognise these symptoms in yourself: Talk to someone you trust Stay active and eat well Limit alcohol and other unhelpful coping mechanisms Reach out to your GP or support services like Thrive, which offers free, confidential emotional support including counselling and wellness coaching Suicide Prevention: What to Know The CSO estimates over 500 people die by suicide each year in Ireland. If poor mental health is left untreated or an overwhelming situation occurs, suicide ideation can manifest.  Suicidal thoughts often arise when risk factors outweigh protective ones. Risk factors may include: Bereavement or trauma Financial or relationship difficulties Mental health conditions Isolation or lack of support Protective factors include: Strong personal relationships Access to support services Personal resilience and coping skills A sense of purpose or belonging If You’re Struggling: Take suicidal thoughts seriously – don’t dismiss or ignore them Talk to someone immediately – a friend, family member, GP, counsellor, or support service (Mental Health Support Lines: HSE Support Helplines)  Identify your protective factors – relationships, routines, personal strengths, and sources of hope Avoid isolation – stay connected, even if it’s just a short message or call Create a safety plan – list people to contact, coping strategies, and reasons to stay safe Limit access to means – remove or secure anything that could be used for self-harm Seek professional help – early intervention can save lives If someone you care about seems withdrawn, irritable, or overwhelmed, check in with them. You don’t need to have all the answers, just being there and listening can make a difference. If You’re Worried About Someone: Ask them directly - it gives them the chance to open up and to talk. Don't panic and stay calm - the best you can do is to listen to them without judgement or blame. Don’t leave them alone  Help them access support – call a GP, counsellor, or emergency services if needed Follow up – check in regularly to show ongoing support  Whether you're struggling yourself or supporting someone else, early intervention and open conversations can save lives. Help is available and reaching out is a sign of strength. Thrive is the Institute's dedicated wellbeing hub, if you or someone you know are struggling, please know there is help out there. For more advice or information, contact the team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie  or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294. 

Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members & Advocacy commented:  “Today’s Action Plan places a welcome emphasis on controlling what we can in a volatile global environment. It is encouraging to see the announcement of a ‘Red Tape Challenge’ to reduce regulation for SMEs. Combined with the existing SME Test, we hope to see reduced cost and regulatory burdens so businesses can spend more time innovating and creating jobs. Our research reinforces this urgency; 57% of SMEs surveyed by us this year identified regulatory compliance burdens as a key area in need of government support.  “The policy focus on examining options to boost the competitiveness of the R&D Tax Credit is crucial for ensuring that Ireland remains a top destination for innovation, attracting both domestic and international companies. The R&D tax credit regime critically requires enhancements for greater uptake and access for SMEs and we have called for these in the CCAB-I Pre-Budget Submission.   “The announcement of a National Artificial Intelligence Office reflects our longstanding view that AI is a powerful opportunity to reduce administrative burdens, enhance data driven decision making and bolster competitiveness. The NAIO will hopefully be a much-needed forum to shape the future landscape for business in Ireland. “While the direction of the Action Plan is welcome, as is a whole-of-Government commitment, delivery will be critical. The implementation framework with its broad timelines is a useful element of the plan, however businesses also need to see accountability and transparent implementation so that these policy objectives translate into progress on the ground.”  

Minister of State at the Department of Finance Robert Troy welcomed guests to a Chartered Accountants Ireland New York member chapter event hosted in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland’s Strategic Financial Leadership programme last night. The event was held at the Consulate General of Ireland New York, with Gerald Angley, the new Consul General and his team in attendance. The panel discussion event, titled “Strategic scaling: Empowering financial leaders for growth,” was attended by approximately 100 members from New York and surrounding regions and other guests. Attendees on the evening also heard from Daryl Regan, Programme Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Strategic Finance Leadership programme as well as Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Global Member Manager Gillian Duffy. Introducing the event, Minister Troy highlighted the importance of Irish companies' contributions to the U.S. economy, noting Ireland as the 6th largest source of Foreign Direct Investment in the U.S. The Minister acknowledged the vital role of professional bodies like Chartered Accountants Ireland in supporting economic growth. He emphasised the need for CFOs to be strategic leaders and encouraged networking to build relationships that will drive future success and global engagement. He noted the vital role of member networks like the Chartered Accountants Ireland New York member chapter as a testament to global reach and ambition. The event was a panel discussion of Chartered Accountants Ireland members who are based in New York and the surrounding regions recounting their journeys and learnings. They gave advice on expanding businesses beyond Ireland; navigating the advantages and challenges of cultural differences when expanding overseas; dealing with payroll compliance and tax complexities; how their Chartered training has played a pivotal role in getting them to where they are today and embracing AI. Other advice was to think big, be aware of costs which can often be higher than in Ireland, have a strong structure and don’t be afraid to articulate your successes and wins. Also in attendance at the event were Shane Rogers FCA FCPA – President of CAW Network USA, and Institute Council member Conall McGonagle FCA FCPA – CFO and CAO of the Ireland Funds America. The Chartered Accountants Ireland New York member chapter would like to thank Enterprise Ireland, the IESE Business School, Minister Robert Troy, Gerald Angley, the Consulate General of Ireland New York and his team, as well as all the members of the chapter who contributed to the event. The panellists were: Alan Fagan FCA FCPA – Partner, CrossCountry Consulting (discussion moderator), Sharon Cunningham FCA FCPA – CEO & Co- Founder, Shorla Oncology, David Evans FCA FCPA – Chief Executive Pivotel Corporate Barry Flanagan FCA FCPA – Vice President Global Payroll, and You can view photos from the event here. You can learn more about overseas member networks here.    

In UK news, Wednesday, 26 November has been announced as the date on which the next UK Budget will be delivered and last week the Institute held discussions with local Government representatives in Northern Ireland to discuss ongoing concerns about the upcoming April 2026 changes to agricultural and business property relief, which are expected to disproportionately affect the region. In Irish news, the Fiscal Monitor for August 2025 has been released and we bring you an update from the recent TALC Collections sub-committee meeting. In International news this week, the OECD publishes a revised Transparency Framework on tax rulings under BEPS Action 5. UK 1. The Chancellor has announced that the next UK Budget will take place on Wednesday 26 November 2025. 2. Last week the Institute met with local government in Northern Ireland to highlight its concerns in relation to the April 2026 changes to two key inheritance tax reliefs. Ireland 3. The Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform have published the Fiscal Monitor for August 2025 which confirms an Exchequer surplus of €3.2 billion to the end of August. 4. Read about the representations made by the Institute, under the auspices of the CCAB-I, at the recent TALC Collections sub-committee meeting. International 5. The OECD has published a revised BEPS transparency framework on tax rulings. 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 Post EU exit corner here.    

The Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) in the UK supervises the 25 professional body supervisors in the legal and accountancy sectors including Chartered Accountants Ireland. OPBAS has done work in 2025 on assessing the quality of suspicious activity reports (SARs). In order to improve the quality of SARs it is actively working with the UKFIU to support training sessions on SAR quality. UKFIU has recently released a series of videos to support SAR submissions. We encourage our members and firms to view these six SARs Best Practice Videos, available on YouTube and accessible by clicking the links below 1. What is a SAR and why do I need to submit one? 2. Know your Glossary Codes 3. Reason for Suspicion 4. Best practice for completing the criminal / terrorist property section 5. Best practice for completing the prohibited act section 6. What happens after you submit a DAML or DATF? 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.