Revenue have many means at their disposal to gather information about the economic activities of taxpayers.
With greater access to technology, it is now much easier for data to be exchanged between different jurisdictions.
We have outlined below the main resources which revenue use currently to gain information.
Analysis of Tax Returns – Revenue analyses tax returns to check if gross profit margins align with industry averages or, if declared income matches lifestyle indicators (e.g. purchasing a high-value property on a modest declared income).
Projects on Business Sectors – Revenue uses reports from trade associations and consultants to understand how specific business sectors operate, including payment structures like overtime, commission, and travel allowances.
Tax Credits – people claiming the Rent tax credit, the landlord might not be registered.
Supplier Records – An example: a publican’s supplier statements can indicate expected turnover, which Revenue can compare to declared figures.
Tip Offs – Information from disgruntled ex-spouses, ex-partners, or ex-employees who may report issues such as cash payments without PRSI deductions.
Social media – revenue can gain information about economic activity from such platforms as Meta and Instagram.
Returns and Reports
- Returns of payments made to contractors
- Returns related to foreign accounts
- Returns concerning material interests in offshore funds
High Value Purchases – Auction results and records from leasing companies can reveal significant purchases that may not align with declared income.
Financial Institutions – Information from banks and other financial institutions about accounts, transactions and investments.
Platform Operators – data from the likes of Ebay, Amazon, AirBnB, car rental companies, live streaming apps, and food delivery companies.
Property Transactions – Information from the Property Registration Authority, auctioneers, and other property-related entities.
Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) – Revenue collects and exchanges financial account information with other jurisdictions with regard to:
- Employment income
- Directors Fees
- Life Insurance Products
- Ownership of and income from immovable property
In 2026 platforms which deal in crypto currencies will be obliged to share information relating to the activities of their clients. (CARF – Crypto Asset Reporting Framework)
As you can see above, there are many resources for revenue to utilise in order to get information relating to the income of the taxpayer. There is much greater cooperation between countries now in relation to cross-border and domestic activities. Please reach out if you require further information on this topic.
