Vol. 548 No. 5
184 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Finance the reason rebates due to taxpayers in respect of corporation profits tax, capital gains tax, income tax and most other taxes are not being made by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5455/02]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that repayments for all taxes are currently being processed as normal and that a new computer system, integrated taxation processing, ITP, has, in fact, enhanced the repayments process. However, delays were experienced by some taxpayers due to initial teething difficulties with the extension of ITP to the assessed tax collection system last September. The Revenue Commissioners advise me that these difficulties have since been resolved. Repayments of corporation tax, capital gains tax, income tax, VAT, and PAYE/PRSI numbering 101,984 to the value of €328,301,867 have been made by the Revenue during the period from 1 January 2002 to 13 February 2002.
Since the introduction of the ITP system for income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax last September, repayments below a certain level – at present €4,000 – which represent almost 70% of income tax repayments, are issued automatically following processing of the return. The corresponding figure for corporation tax repayments is 45%. These repayments now issue within seven days from the issue of the notice of assessment.
In accordance with section 1006A, TCA 1997 repayments are offset against a taxpayer's outstanding tax liabilities or deferred in cases where tax returns are outstanding. Taxpayers are advised where these circumstances arise. When the outstanding returns are received the repayment is processed.
