I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
I am advised by Revenue that the annual cost of the research and development tax credit for the most recent five years for which data are available (i.e. to 2016), and the number of companies that have availed of the scheme in each of these years, is as set out in the table below.
Year
|
Total Exchequer Cost (€m)
|
Number of Companies
|
2012
|
282
|
1,543
|
2013
|
421
|
1,576
|
2014
|
553
|
1,570
|
2015
|
708
|
1,535
|
2016
|
670
|
1,506
|
This information, together with a range of other available data in respect of the R&D tax credit, is published on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/r-and-d-tax-credits.aspx. This includes the available information in respect of a breakdown by size of the claimant companies.
Information in respect of 2017 will be published during 2019 when returns for that year have been processed and analysed.
In relation to the Knowledge Development Box (KDB), the relief is available in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1 January 2016. Given the supporting documentation required, the claimant company has a period of up to 24 months to make a claim for relief under the KDB. A small number of companies (less than 10) with accounting periods ended on or before 31 December 2016 have claimed the relief. The tax cost of these claims to-date is approximately €5 million. Due to taxpayer confidentiality, Revenue cannot comment further on the size or nature of the claimant companies. Information in respect of 2017 will be published during 2019 when returns for the year have been processed and analysed.