Irish workers receive alarming letters from Revenue over alleged unpaid taxes

84,000 letters were sent by Revenue Commissioners to demand tax payments.

In September Revenue Commissioners sent 84,000 “final reminder” letters to workers, demanding them to pay taxes on money earned outside the PAYE system.

The cases of those who failed to respond to the reminder, which is understood to be most of the recipients, have now been referred to their county's Revenue sheriff.

Officials are appointed by the court and rather than imposing fines, they typically collect payment for the tax owed by seizing goods.

The letters have sparked confusion and anger with many mistaking it for a scam.

The letter, which includes bank details to make payment, does not appear on headed notepaper.

Those affected may have previously or mistakenly registered for self-assessed tax returns, or it could involve UK pension, dividends or rental payments by accidental landlords.

Tommy McGibney, chartered accountant and tax specialist, said many elderly people are receiving the letters.

“Large numbers of wholly innocent Irish people are getting tax demands and sheriff enforcement notices for taxes they don’t owe and never owed – because the Revenue Commissioners never bothered cleaning up their self-assessment taxpayer database.

“The victims include the very elderly, people with illnesses and recently bereaved families.”

He gave a case example of a man in his 90s who had made a self-assessed tax return during Covid and has not filed a return since, with Revenue now demanding an estimate of thousands of euros in tax.

As reported by the Irish Independent, the letters state the estimated amount of tax owed, that the sheriff is required to execute a warrant by Revenue, and that immediate payment is demanded.

“Accordingly, your goods are now under threat of seizure until the total amount now due, including fees as set out overleaf, is paid," it continues.

When asked why the letters posed such threat, Revenue stated the Irish tax system operates on a self-assessment basis, and it's the taxpayer's responsibility to file and pay their tax properly and on time.

As it is also the taxpayer's onus to register/deregister for self-assessment, Revenue said “reminders to file” notices were sent in January, prompting 40,000 taxpayers to correct their position.

The tax authority stated: “In September 2026, the Collector-General issued 84,000 notices of estimated tax due [i.e. estimates] to taxpayers where their IT [income tax] return for 2024 remained outstanding.

“The notice also advised that if no action was taken within 30 days from the date of the notice, then the estimated amount on the notice became pursuable and subject to enforcement.

“Where no action was taken in response to this final demand, then the estimated amount became due and enforceable to Revenue’s enforcement agency.”

Revenue further added that they would prefer taxpayers to voluntarily comply with obligations.

“The message remains for those taxpayers who have been escalated to enforcement, is to file the outstanding return or deregister for IT [income tax] purposes if no longer chargeable, in addition to paying the enforcement costs now due and any interest charges incurred."

Image: Rolling News