Share reporting obligations

Overview

Filing obligations

Employer and trustees

If you are an employer operating share schemes or a trustee of certain approved share schemes, you have an obligation to file an annual return.

The standard filing deadline is 31 March following the year in which the activity arose. For example, returns in respect of 2024 activity are due by 31 March 2025. It should be noted that penalties for failure to make returns may apply.

You will also have a payroll withholding obligation in respect of all share awards. This obligation will also apply to gains on share options realised by your employees on, or after, 1 January 2024.

Employees

Prior to 1 January 2024, employees became chargeable persons upon the exercise of an unapproved share option. They must submit payment of the Relevant Tax on Share Options (RTSO) within 30 days accompanied by the relevant return, RTSO1.

After 1 January 2024, employees will no longer be chargeable persons as a result of exercising a share option. Employers have an obligation to remit Income Tax, Universal Social Charge (USC) and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) through payroll.

Note

If your employee realised a gain during 2023, they are still obliged to file an Income Tax return by 31 October 2024.

For further information, please see How to calculate and pay Relevant Tax on Share Options.

Next: Share-related returns