Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 June 2012
91 Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Finance the enforcement action taken by the Revenue Commissioners to ensure that markets that operate on weekends are fully compliant with their VAT and tax liabilities; the number of inspections undertaken each year to ensure full compliance; the way members of the public can report suspected non-payment of these tax liabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26855/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that specific measures have been implemented to tackle hidden economy issues in the cash sector including casual trading markets. The threat to the Exchequer posed by the shadow economy is fully recognised by Revenue which puts a strong focus and concentration on those sectors that traditionally have been susceptible to shadow activity. Revenue's overall approach to the shadow economy in all sectors, including the weekend trading markets, is underpinned by close consultation and cooperation with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and over 500 joint Revenue/DSP inspections took place in 2011, and over 200 so far in 2012.
In tandem with this Joint Agency activity, Revenue have run specific projects to detect shadow economy activities and recover VAT, Income Tax and PAYE where due, together with appropriate statutory interest and penalties. These projects include streetscape operations and visits to market, fairs and high profile festivals and events. In 2011, 36 weekend markets were visited and, so far, in 2012 Revenue has carried out 39 streetscape operations.
In combating tobacco smuggling and retail of illicit cigarettes, I understand that Revenue's ongoing activity in this area is complimented by a number of blitz visits to casual trader markets. These types of activities normally take place in off-hours, the majority of which is weekend activity. In 2011, there were 6 national tobacco blitzes and weekend visits were paid to the main risk markets, resulting in 26 seizures amounting to 58,900 cigarettes and 8.68 kilos of tobacco.
In 2011, Revenue committed additional resources to tackling tax evasion in high-risk sectors and carried out over 11,000 audits of businesses and individuals as well as over 546,000 other compliance checks. These resulted in additional yield for the Exchequer of nearly €483m.
I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that any person can inform them of instances of tax evasion through the network of local offices, by phone, email or letter. There is a confidential free-phone number 1800 295 295, for reporting tobacco smuggling or sale of illicit tobacco products. Reports of suspected evasion/fraud should provide as much detail as possible particularly in terms of location, names, addresses, telephone numbers and vehicle registrations. All such reports are treated as confidential and are fully investigated by Revenue.
The Revenue Commissioners inform me that they are committed to tackling tax evasion and avoidance across all areas of the economy. Their goal is to prevent a loss of revenue to the State and at the same time to ensure that a level playing field exists for the benefit of legitimate trade interests.
I am satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners are pursuing programmes that are dealing in a very determined way with tax evasion.
