Revenue announced a four-week extension to the Pay & File deadline for those who file online. For taxpayers who file their 2019 self-assessed income tax return and make the appropriate payment through ROS in respect of preliminary tax for 2020 and any income tax balance due for 2019, the due date is extended to Thursday, 10 December 2020. Revenue also confirmed to Chartered Accountants Ireland that the corporation tax return surcharge suspension stands for the 23 September deadline. The volatile public health situation facing the country due to COVID-19 infection rates means that a decisive extension of the income tax deadline offers a much-needed measure of respite and certainty to the majority of accountants and to businesses in these uncertain times. As set out in eBrief 174/20, Revenue also extended the due date for beneficiaries who received gifts or inheritances with valuation dates in the year ended 31 August 2020. Such beneficiaries now have until 10 December to make a Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) return and make the appropriate payment through ROS.

In order to qualify for the extension, taxpayers must both pay and file through ROS; otherwise, the relevant return and payment is due no later than 31 October 2020.

Chartered Accountants Ireland under the auspices of the CCAB-I successfully lobbied for the introduction of an income tax relief to help the self-employed manage their tax liabilities.