Stamp Duty on financial cards

Credit cards and charge cards

A Stamp Duty charge of €30 per year applies to credit cards and charge cards issued to a person with an address in the State.

Credit cards

The charge is applied per account, regardless of the number of cards issued in respect of an account.

Charge cards

For all chargeable periods ending before 31 December 2024, the charge applied to each card issued in respect of a charge card account. From 1 January 2025, the charge in respect of charge cards applies per account, regardless of the number of cards issued in respect of an account.

If you switch accounts, you should pay the Stamp Duty to the old bank or card issuer on closing the account. Your old bank or card issuer will charge the Stamp Duty in your final statement. They will then issue a Letter of Closure to you.

This letter confirms that you have paid the Stamp Duty for the period in question. You should present this letter to your new bank or card issuer. You will not be charged Stamp Duty for that period.

If you change credit or charge cards numerous times in the same accounting period, you are only charged on the original account. You need to obtain a Letter of Closure each time you close an account. The next bank or card issuer will issue a Letter of Closure once it has proof that the initial duty was paid.

If you close your account in the same period as you opened it without using the card, no charge to Stamp Duty arises. If you close your account during the year and do not open a new account, a Stamp Duty charge arises for the preceding year.

These charges also apply to cards held virtually or in electronic form.