The Department of Finance published a consultation paper on 11 October 2013. The consultation paper proposes that Self-Assessed Income Taxpayers would pay and file either in June or in September, rather than November as is currently the case. The Tax Committee formulated a response, which was submitted to the Department.

The main points in the submission are as follows:

• The CCAB-I position is that there should be no change to either to the Payment or Filing dates as specified in the Consultation paper.
• The cash flow impact of bringing forward the Preliminary Tax Payment Date will be severe for Self Assessed taxpayers. Irish taxpayers already pay their taxes as income arises; they should not be asked to pay tax before income is earned, thus in effect prepaying their taxes.
• Any change in the Filing Date would cause practical difficulties for taxpayers, and for accountants who are involved in the preparation of a significant majority of self-assessed income tax returns. There are significant matters to be considered such as existing work schedules, clashes with corporation tax return deadlines and exam schedules for trainees.
• While we respect Ireland's international obligation to formulate its annual Budgets earlier, it does not follow that bringing forward Payment or Filing dates will improve the Budgetary process. If early filing or payment were really necessary, it would not have been possible for Government to formulate its 2014 budget.

The full text of the submission is re-published in this issue of tax.point is available here.