ROS Pay and File Deadline: Figures up again this year
By midnight on 18th November (the tax deadline for electronic filers) a total of 157,218 income tax returns were filed through Revenue's on-line service (ROS). Early indications suggest that over 50% of timely filers used the electronic route this year. This compares with 40% last year and 9% in 2002.
There were no problems with the performance of the system this year despite the heavy traffic. During the year Revenue undertook major enhancements to the service to make sure there would be no problems. The co-operation of the tax practitioners and the fact that many customers are now very familiar with the ROS system also helped enormously to ensure a successful and smooth operation.
The ROS helpdesk, which remained open until after midnight, reported a very busy day right up to the deadline resolving difficulties for last minute customers to file their returns and make payments. A total of 18,600 returns were filed on the final day.
In terms of overall compliance levels, early indications suggest that the level of timely compliance (both paper and electronic) is again up this year.
Ends, 19/11/04
Additional Information
157,218 Forms 11 for 2003 were filed on ROS the Revenue On-Line Service (compared to 102,000 for last year). Early indications suggest that 53% of timely filers used ROS this year.
The ROS service allows self employed business and individuals to meet their income tax and capital gains tax obligations on-line. The system provides online forms with in-built calculations to assist customers and tax practitioners. Customers and their Agents can file returns and make payments, obtain details of their Revenue accounts, calculate their tax and conduct their business with Revenue electronically, at a time and a place that suits them.
Customers who used the service to file their returns and make their payments on-line, either directly themselves or through their tax agent, were granted an 18 day extension to do so until midnight on 18 November.
ROS currently caters for 20 different taxes and duties including V.A.T., Income Tax, Corporation Tax, Relevant Contracts Tax, Employers Payroll, VIES, INTRASTAT, Transit, CAP Export Declarations and Vehicle Registration Tax.