Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:84. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the regulatory and oversight function the Revenue Commissioners have regarding companies with charitable status. [54737/13]
View answerWednesday, 18 December 2013
Questions (84, 85)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:85. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance the date on which the Revenue Commissioners became aware of irregularities-malpractice in the charitable status sector; and the actions they took regarding same. [54738/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 84 and 85 together.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it has no regulatory role in relation to charities. Its role is confined to administering the tax exemption scheme, which includes vetting and processing applications from bodies claiming exemption from tax on the basis that they are charities. The role also includes monitoring such bodies once they have been granted the exemption to ensure that the relevant terms and conditions continue to be fulfilled.
Revenue has also advised me that because of its obligation to observe confidentiality it is precluded from commenting on the tax affairs of individual bodies.
However, it has assured me that procedures are in place to ensure that bodies that are granted charitable tax exemption are subject to reviews to ensure that the terms of the exemption continue to be fulfilled. These reviews are carried out on an on-going basis throughout the sector and all matters which come to the attention of Revenue are taken into consideration in the context of such reviews. Where a body is found not to be complying with the terms of its exemption, appropriate remedial action is taken. Depending on the nature of the non-compliance this can involve sanctions up to, and including, withdrawal of the tax exemption.