I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
I am advised by Revenue that it strongly encourages timely compliance and engagement by taxpayers towards paying the right amount of tax at the right time and meeting their return filing obligations. In that way, taxpayers avoid any exposure to penalties or interest for late or non-compliance.
Revenue has confirmed that the levying of interest on late payment of tax is a statutory charge that must be factored into any phased payment agreement or debt collection/enforcement action. I am satisfied that collection of interest by Revenue is a key element in reflecting the value of money forgone by the Exchequer where a taxpayer does not pay what is due on time and is also vital in supporting the efforts of the vast majority of taxpayers who are voluntarily and fully compliant.
The number of penalty payments received and the amounts of interest charged/collected by Revenue for the years 2011 to 2017 inclusive are set out in the following tables. Both interest and penalty payments received were charged and collected as part of Revenue’s risk management intervention and late filing/non filing programmes.
Interest Collected
2011
€m
|
2012
€m
|
2013
€m
|
2014
€m
|
2015
€m
|
2016
€m
|
2017
€m
|
83.09
|
62.93
|
92.35
|
87.53
|
100.76
|
91.06
|
81.26
|
Number of Penalty Payments
Note: A taxpayer may make numerous individual payments in respect of a single penalty
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
15,726
|
15,492
|
20,277
|
21,721
|
24,615
|
27,566
|
29,662
|