Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
Your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) is a unique reference number that is needed for all dealings with public service agencies, including Revenue.
PPSNs are issued by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
The DSP's Client Identity Services (CIS) provide a service for non-resident applicants who need a PPSN and cannot attend a designated PPS Registration Centre.
You can contact the DSP's CIS by:
- email at cis@welfare.ie
- or
- telephone 0818 927 999 (or +353 71 9672616, if calling from abroad).
Personal information changes
The DSP is responsible for managing the PPSN for every individual, including name changes and gender recognition. For further information, please see the DSP’s website regarding:
Revenue will only amend your tax record with regard to your name or gender when the DSP has updated its PPSN records.
Where can I find my PPS number?
You can find your PPSN on the following documents:
- Public Services Card
- Drugs Payment Scheme Card
- Medical Card
- GP visit card
- European Health Insurance Card
- Tax Assessment
- PAYE Notice of Tax Credits
- Temporary Payment Card
If you do not know your PPSN, you can contact your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
'W' PPSNs
Historically, on marriage, a wife assumed her husband's PPSN with the letter 'W' added to the end. For example, if a husband's PPSN was 1234567A, his wife would have been assigned 1234567AW when they got married. This was done to enable the records of jointly assessed couples to be linked on Revenue’s systems.
This practice ceased in the 1990s. However, existing 'W' numbers in use at that time continue to be used. If you have a ‘W’ PPSN, you will need to get a replacement if you have a change in circumstances such as separation or death of a spouse.
It is important you get a replacement PPSN:
- to avoid being emergency taxed
- to ensure you receive the correct tax credits and rate band
- for Local Property Tax (LPT) reasons
- and
- for Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) purposes.
What you need to do
You will need to contact the DSP's Client Identity Section on 071 9672616 to arrange a replacement PPSN. The DSP will provide you with either:
- a new PPSN
- or
- re-instate your old PPSN, if you were issued a PPSN after 1979 and before you got married.
Applications and queries to the DSP on this matter should include your:
- 'W' PPSN
- birth surname
- mother's birth surname
- date of birth
- and
- pre-marriage PPSN, if known.
When you have received your replacement PPSN, you should contact Revenue to register the new PPSN for tax purposes. You should also contact any other organisation that may have your old ‘W’ PPSN, for example, your employer or pension provider.
For further information, please see the DSP's website.