Revenue writes to 130,000 taxpayers as a reminder to claim their entitlements before 31 December deadline

Today (08/11/2019) Revenue is writing to approximately 130,000 PAYE taxpayers who have paid tax but have not claimed any additional tax credits or reliefs in the last five years, to remind them that there is a four-year time limit for claiming a refund of tax.

Revenue has issued these letters over the last few years to assist taxpayers in claiming their due entitlements and ensuring they only pay the correct amount of tax. Analysis of a previous campaign suggests that the letters have a significant positive effect on taxpayer engagement with Revenue.

Commenting on this year’s initiative, Pat Murphy, National PAYE Manager in Revenue’s Personal Division, has this timely advice for taxpayers:

"You can claim a refund of tax paid if there are entitlements you are due but have yet to claim. However, there is a four-year time limit for claiming tax refunds and the deadline for 2015 claims is 31 December 2019, so now is a good time to check that you have claimed all of your entitlements.

For taxpayers who want to make a claim, the quickest, easiest and most convenient way to do so is online using PAYE Services, which is available in Revenue’s myAccount portal. You can register for, or sign in to, myAccount on the Revenue website. The services in myAccount are accessible on all mobile devices."

Mr Murphy added:

"Even if you did not get a letter from Revenue, you can review and update your tax record online at any time, using PAYE Services in myAccount. When you submit a claim, it is processed and verified by Revenue and most online refund claims are paid within five working days.  So, there is still plenty of time to submit your claim and have your refund paid into your bank account before Christmas."

Summarising his advice to taxpayers, Mr Murphy said:

"The important things for PAYE workers to remember are:

• There is a four-year time limit for claiming tax refunds, so if you have a claim for 2015 you will need to submit it by 31 December 2019.
• The quickest, easiest and most convenient way to submit your claim for tax back is online using PAYE Services in myAccount, which is accessible on all mobile devices.
• If you are not already registered for myAccount, you can register quickly and easily on the Revenue website.
• If you add your bank account details to your myAccount profile, any refund due can be paid directly into your bank account, usually within 5 working days."

[Ends 08/11/2019]