Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
141. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 263 of 2 May 2017, if the Revenue Commissioners publish figures for uncollected income tax each year; if so, where this information can be found; if it is subject to audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22778/17]
View answerRevenue publishes the total amount of uncollected tax each year in its annual report. The annual reports for each year are available on the Revenue website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/about/publications/annual-reports.html.
The published figures include both the overall debt and the amount of debt that is available for collection after amounts under appeal to the Tax Appeals Commission or that are included in statutory insolvency activity are factored out.
For the years 2014, 2015 and 2016 the overall outstanding debt was €1,695m, €1,812m and €1,944m respectively. The ‘debt available for collection’ amounts for these years were €907m, €823m and €755m of which €373m, €360m and €374m related to Income Tax. These amounts are for the most part collected by Revenue through phased payment agreements with the taxpayers in question or where necessary through the use of debt collection/enforcement sanctions.
The details of the uncollected amounts of tax are provided to the Comptroller & Auditor General each year for examination.
