Revenue Tax Briefing

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Revenue Tax Briefing Issue 44 (part 2), 2001

Games And Sports Bodies Relief from IT & CT

Revised Arrangements for Applying for Relief from Income Tax and Corporation Tax for Certain Games and Sports Bodies

Section 235 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, provides for an exemption for Games/Sports bodies in respect of Income Tax, Corporation Tax and Dividend Withholding Tax, where the income of such a body, as is shown to the satisfaction of the Revenue Commissioners, has been or will be applied for the sole purpose of promoting an athletic or amateur game or sport. In addition, relief from Capital Gains Tax is available provided the proceeds of the gain are reinvested in acquiring new assets for the promotion of the game/sport in question.

It is necessary to apply to Revenue to secure exemption and those bodies eligible to apply are any clubs or organisations established for and in existence for the sole purpose of promoting an athletic or amateur game or sport. A body must also be:

  • member controlled and owned and not for profit
  • legally established in the State and have its centre of management and control therein. In addition, the majority of its trustees/directors/officers, as appropriate, must be resident within the State.

Without an exemption, a games or sports body, in common with any other organisation:

  • may be liable to Income / Corporation Tax on any surplus income, and
  • may be obliged to make annual tax returns to the local Inspector of Taxes.

Revenue have recently carried out a review of the taxation position of games and sports bodies who do not currently hold a formal exemption under Section 235 TCA 1997 and following which new arrangements have been introduced towards enabling clubs etc. to regularise their own particular position having regard to this exemption facility. These arrangements are set out in a new information leaflet (GS1) and which also incorporates a simple declaration procedure for clubs applying for exemption. This leaflet is available from the Games/Sports Exemption Section in Nenagh, from any tax office, or from our website at www.revenue.ie. - see “Publications”.

Meetings have been held with the National Governing Bodies (N.G.B.’s) of the various sporting codes to inform them of the new arrangements and Revenue will be distributing the new leaflet to all games/sports clubs throughout the country with the assistance of the N.G.B.’s. A list of these N.G.B.’s is set out below. Queries on the new arrangements may be addressed to:

Games/Sports Exemption Section
Government Buildings,
Nenagh,
Co. Tipperary.

Tel:

067 33533

Fax:

067 32916

e-mail

sportsexemp@revenue.ie

National Games and Sports Governing Bodies in Ireland

Irish Amateur Boxing Association
Irish Cycling Federation Motorsport Ireland
Irish Canoe Union
Irish Squash
Republic of Ireland Snooker and Billiards Assoc.
Irish Amateur Wrestling Association
Badminton Union of Ireland
Irish Table Tennis Association
Irish Basketball Association
National Rifle and Pistol Association of Ireland
Baton Twirling Sport Association of Ireland
Irish Baseball & Softball Federation
Irish Hockey Association
Irish Sailing Association
Irish Amateur Fencing Federation
Irish Amateur Weightlifting Association
Irish Waterski Association
Motorcycling Union of Ireland
Irish Martial Arts Commission
Irish Surfing Association
Bol Chumann na hEireann
Irish Croquet Association of Ireland
Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland
Cumann Luthcleas Gael
Irish Ladies Golf Union
Irish Hang Gliding Association
Horseshoe Pitchers Association of Ireland
Parachute Association of Ireland
Football Association of Ireland
Tennis Ireland
Volleyball Association of Ireland
Pitch & Putt Union of Ireland
Mountaineering Council of Ireland
Swim Ireland
Irish Amateur Rowing Union
Bowling League of Ireland
Amateur Athletics Ireland
Irish Amateur Archery Association
Irish Gymnastics Limited
Racquetball Association of Ireland
Irish Ten Pin Bowling Association
Irish Olympic Handball Association
Irish Federation of Sea Anglers
Irish Orienteering Association
Irish Clay Pidgeon Shooting Association
Irish Underwater Council
Irish Cricket Union
Contract Bridge Association of Ireland
Republic of Ireland Netball Association
Dublin City Sports and Recreation Forum
Irish Triathlon Association
Cumann Camogaiochta na Gael
Speleological Union of Ireland
National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland
Golfing Union of Ireland
Comhairle Liathroid Laimhe na hEireann
Equestrian Federation of Ireland
Irish Judo Association
Irish Rugby Football Union
Irish Tug of War Association