At a recent TALC Collection meeting, at which the ICAI was represented, the Collector General outlined the Revenue's position on those businesses that are experiencing difficulties in meeting their tax payment obligations in these straitened times.

In summary, if businesses are having short term cashflow difficulties, the Collector General stressed the importance of contacting Revenue as soon as possible.

The Collector General emphasized that Revenue recognise the economic challenges facing businesses and that there is a process in place to respond to the needs of businesses, including escalating decisions to the appropriate level within Revenue to allow certainty for the business.

The business can then make suitable arrangements with Revenue to pay the outstanding tax and ensure that Revenue do not initiate enforcement proceedings, e.g. the Revenue Sheriff, which will result in more charges to the business.

In addition, there is a dedicated area of the Revenue website (see http://www.revenue.ie/en/business/running/tax-payment-difficulties.html) which deals with Tax Payment Difficulties. Included in this section:

• Collector General Contact Details
• Case Decision Escalation Framework Guide