Revenue warns of a tough response to serious tax evasion

Speaking today (22/02/2017) on Revenue’s response to non-compliance, Commissioner Liam Irwin said that the vast majority of taxpayers comply with their tax and duty obligations.

However, there was a stark warning for the small minority who don’t want to pay, or who choose to cheat: "Revenue’s response to serious cases of non-compliance is robust and determined. We use all the powers at our disposal, up to and including criminal prosecution, and the consequences for individuals can be very grave. Just last week (16/02/2017) at Trim Circuit Court, Judge Michael O’Shea handed down a sentence of three and a half years imprisonment, with twelve months suspended, in a Revenue prosecution case".

Alan Barrett of Ashbourne, Co. Meath, who was Director and Secretary of Event Elephant Ltd., had pleaded guilty to VAT fraud and tax evasion totalling over €1.07m, on one charge of filing an incorrect return of personal Income Tax, and nine charges of filing incorrect returns on behalf of Event Elephant Ltd. These included:

• 4 charges of consenting and conniving to file incorrect VAT returns on behalf of Event Elephant Ltd;
• 4 charges of consenting and conniving to claim or obtain relief, exemption or repayment of VAT on behalf of Event Elephant Ltd; and
• 1 charge of consenting and conniving to fail without reasonable excuse to keep or retain books and records for the purposes of PAYE/PRSI on behalf of Event Elephant Ltd.

Referring to the Revenue prosecution, Commissioner Irwin said: "Revenue operates on the presumption of honesty. However, anyone who engages in evasion can expect a strong Revenue response. This outcome reflects the seriousness and unacceptability of tax and duty evasion."

Ends: 22/02/2017