Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013
74. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of persons affected and the amount of tax that has been collected by the Revenue Commissioners as part of its compliance campaign targeting those in receipt of a State pension and a private occupational pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54562/13]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have extensive data exchange arrangements in place with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and that these are under constant review by the two organisations. The arrangements have been significantly enhanced in recent times and following an exchange with the DSP in relation to DSP pension payments in late 2011, Revenue undertook to amend DSP pension recipients’ tax records with up-to-date pension information for the year 2012 onwards in order to ensure future tax compliance. In parallel, beginning in March 2012 Revenue examined in detail PAYE taxpayers who had DSP pensions that had not been returned for prior years. As is normal practice for any compliance work that they undertake, the Commissioners focussed initially on the highest risk cases, which are those cases where the annual non-DSP income exceeded €50,000. They moved next to those whose non-DSP income was between €40,000 and €50,000 and then to those whose non-DSP income was between €30,000 and €40,000. In March 2013, all cases involving self-assessed taxpayers who had not declared their DSP pensions and had annual non-DSP income in excess of €30,000 were examined.
Where underpayments of tax were discovered, PAYE Balancing Statements and amended Notices of Assessment were issued to the taxpayers concerned in respect of the particular years reviewed and discussions were held with regard to the collection of any arrears due.
As of December 16 2013, 10,302 examinations have been concluded. The yield to date is €24.5m, including tax, interest and penalties. There are approximately 500 cases still under enquiry and the Commissioners are making every effort to finalise these.
