PAYE Taxpayers Urged To Check Any Entitlement To Refund

PAYE taxpayers have been urged to check it they might be entitled to a refund of some of the income tax they have paid in the past four years.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Finance Michael McGrath made the call after it emerged that over €3.4 billion has been refunded to taxpayers since 2010.

Deputy McGrath said: "What these figures show is that each year over half a million taxpayers have received tax refunds after submitting a claim or following a request for an end of year review request (P21 balancing statement). However, I suspect there are many more taxpayers out there who are entitled to refunds but who have not claimed them.

"In response to my parliamentary question, the Minister has confirmed that over €3.4 billion has been refunded to PAYE taxpayers since 2010. On average, the Revenue Commissioners have handed back over €700 to each taxpayer who submitted a claim. For many people who may be struggling to pay their bills, this could represent a significant refund.

"An overpayment can arise for a variety of reasons including, for example, couples not being jointly assessed when it would be in their interest to be so, a break in employment, unpaid leave being taken or because relief has not been claimed on medical expenses and third level tuition fees.

"Taxpayers can only claim back tax for the previous four tax years. In other words, a person can currently make a claim for a refund for any year back to and including 2015. It is good practice for employees to seek an end of year P21 balancing statement as this may well throw up an entitlement to a refund.

"I would encourage each PAYE taxpayer to review the tax they have paid through their employer and if they believe any refund is due, they should apply for it. Information on how to do this can be found on the Revenue Commissioners' online service at www.ros.ie", concluded McGrath.