Chartered Accountants Ireland's Annual Conference was held last month and featured a dedicated Tax Stream chaired by Liam Lynch, Chairman of the CCAB-I Tax Committee South, with an interesting line-up of speakers including respected practitioners Padraic Whelan (Deloitte) and Ken O’ Brien (PwC). Padraic Whelan set out practical uses for remaining property tax reliefs and how the new USC measures introduced in FA 2012 work in practice. Ken O’ Brien discussed the pro-employments initiatives introduced in FA 2012 and provided a very informative outline of how SARP, the R&D credit for employees and the Foreign Earnings Deduction relief could be further improved to give Ireland a competitive advantage in attracting high-value employment.

Norah Collender, Tax Technical Manager with Chartered Accountants Ireland, gave some insights into priorities for Revenue as outlined through the various TALC forums and the Tax Department's representational work currently in progress on behalf of Chartered Accountants.

Brian Keegan, Director of Taxation for Chartered Accountants Ireland, discussed the possible shape of Budget 2013 based on the IMF's published costings which include proposals to broaden the personal income tax base, restructure motor taxation and reduce tax expenditures.

Minister Richard Bruton TD opened Day Two of the Conference which was held in Chartered Accountant House on Pearse Street. In a wide ranging speech, he emphasised the importance of tax reliefs and the opportunities available under the Revenue Job Assist and Seed Capital Schemes.