Vol. 553 No. 5
110 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance in regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government, the specific steps he intends to take to ensure that everyone is tax compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14489/02]
It is my intention to provide every support which I consider appropriate to the Revenue Commissioners in carrying out their task of improving tax compliance.
The Revenue Commissioners are currently well placed to do this, having at their disposal a large body of enhanced audit and investigative powers, much of which was provided during my term of office as Minister for Finance, as well as having considerable additional staffing resources – over 400 additional staff sanctioned over the last two years, for example. My aim is to build on this strong base already established and any further actions deemed necessary or desirable in this regard will be considered on an ongoing basis.
Under Revenue's current statement of strategy it is committing greater efforts and resources to improving returns filing and tax payment compliance. It is also increasing the resources that are devoted to Revenue's audit programme. Revenue will continue to tackle the shadow economy by identifying and registering all customers with a tax liability and following up taxes due.
The application of these increased efforts and resources should result over time in a significant reduction in non compliance.
