Why BDO Tax?

Our dedicated taxation team provides a full range of tax services to both businesses and individuals.

Working with a wide variety of clients, we have developed a comprehensive and unique understanding of the requirements of our core market – family owned, owner-managed and entrepreneurial businesses – and have tailored our personal and corporate tax services to meet their needs.

We take time to understand our clients’ requirements and concerns so that we can give proactive and cost-effective advice.
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Corporate Tax Planning

We pride ourselves in providing timely and relevant advice in all areas of tax with our wealth of experience and as part of the international BDO network, we can provide global integrated tax services.
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Customs and International Trade

BDO Customs and International Trade Services Ltd advise on a range of Importing and Exporting issues relating to the import of goods into and out of the EU.
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Indirect Tax & VAT

BDO is Ireland’s leading indirect tax specialist, serving domestic and international owner-managed businesses. Our indirect tax clients also include financial institutions and insurance companies as well as a number of Fortune 500 companies. 

Our areas of expertise

Relevant Contract Tax (RCT) operates in the Construction, Meat Processing and Forestry Sectors in Ireland and in accordance with Irish Tax Legislation ‘Principals’ operating in each of these sectors are obliged to operate RCT / make RCT deductions on payments being made to Contractors (i.e. subcontractors) which they engage to carry out ‘Relevant Operations’.
 
No RCT implications arise if no Relevant Operations are outsourced by a Principal.
 
The RCT deduction rates are 0%, 20% (standard rate) and 35% and the non-operation of RCT can expose a Principal to significant penalties, even if the RCT deduction rate is 0%.
 
The general criteria that dictates the RCT deduction rates are as follows:

O% Deduction Rate – to qualify for this rate, the Contractor concerned must be fully compliant for 3 years prior to the year in which the contracts was entered into and for the part of the current tax year that has elapsed.

20% Deduction Rate – the 20% standard RCT deduction rate applies to payments made to Contractors who are known to the Irish Tax Authorities who are not fully tax compliance at the time the payment is being made by the Principal

35% Deduction Rate – this rate applies to payments made to Contractors who are either unknown to the Irish Tax Authorities (i.e. Not registered for Irish Tax) or to contractors with a particularly poor track record of tax compliance.

The RCT system is fully online and administered through the Revenue Online System (ROS) and it obliges Principals to ‘Notify’ full details of any ‘Relevant Contracts’ entered into with Contractors immediate following the award of the contract.
 
Information to be provided by the Principal when notifying a contract includes:

  • Name, address and tax reference number of Contractor engaged
  • A full description of the service which the contractor has been engaged to provide ( additional detail is necessary for ‘labour only’ contracts)
  • The overall Value of the contract
  • The location at which the work is to be carried out
  • The expected duration of the contract

Once the contract has been notified, ROS issues a contract reference number (to be used by thePrincipal when providing advance details of payments to be made) to the Principal as well as an Indicatory RCT deduction rate that ‘is likely’ to apply to any related payments being made. If the contractor’s reference number has been provided, he/she receives a copy of the detail provided through ROS.
 
However, advance online application must be made for a ‘Deduction Authorisation’ to obtain confirmation of the RCT deduction rate that applies to each individual payment as the contractors level of compliance may change (thus affecting the RCT deduction rate applicable) as the contract progresses.
 
It is important to appreciate that RCT obligation arise regardless of where the Principal and Contractor are based or what country or currency  the related payments are made in/ from if the contract provides for the carrying out of ‘Relevant Operations’ in Ireland or within Irish Territorial Waters.
 
We have very significant expertise in dealing with all areas of Relevant Contracts Tax and can assist with the following:

  • Advising clients on their strategy to ensure full compliance with RCT
  • Analysis of specific transactions to determine any RCT related implications arising
  • Review of historic periods to identify any potential RCT exposures
  • Bespoke RCT training sessions for both Principals and Contractors
  • Negotiations with the Irish Tax Authorities to resolve any RCT technical queries or exposures
  • Advising regarding the interaction of RCT and Irish Value Added Tax (VAT)

We also provide a full range of Relevant Contracts Tax Compliance services including:

  • Tax registration as a Principal or subcontractor
  • Making Contract notifications on ROS
  • Filing applications for ‘Deduction Authorisations’

Effective VAT planning is vital to the success of a business. Errors cost time and money, while proper planning leads to savings and cash-flow benefits.

We offer a specialist VAT service which ranges from general consultancy to specific VAT compliance assignments. Our multi-disciplined team, with taxation, legal and commercial backgrounds can formulate effective, commercial solutions, to meet your specific business needs and objectives.

Together, we have over 60 years experience working in the Revenue Commissioners and maintain strong links with our former colleagues. We know when and how to interact with the Revenue Commissioners and our hands-on approach results in practical solutions.

Our VAT Services include:

VAT Planning - in relation to the following:

  • Bad debt relief
  • VAT in insolvency situations
  • Property
  • Staff Canteens
  • Acquisitions/ Disposal of Shares
  • International Services
  • Efficient VAT Group Structuring
  • VAT Compliance & Revenue Audit Advice
  • VAT Cash Flow Management
  • Outsourcing
  • Staff VAT Training
  • Reviewing Legal Contracts
  • VAT Healthcheck.
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Personal Tax Planning

Individuals are often challenged by the range of tax regulations which affect them and their personal wealth. Our team of tax advisers are on hand to help you face these challenges by providing a comprehensive advisory service on all aspects of personal tax.
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Research, Development & Innovation Incentives

BDO’s Research and Development (“R&D”) Incentives practice is Ireland’s longest established Engineer led practice. We are one of the most experienced and widely regarded practices in Ireland, with our services ensuring that you receive the R&D grants, tax credits, and the reduced tax rates to which you are entitled.
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Sports Advisory Unit

In the constantly evolving sports business environment there will be many similar financial challenges and opportunities.

BDO is the first Irish tax and financial consultancy firm to have a dedicated sports unit to advise sports professionals, associations and enterprises. We now advise some of Ireland’s biggest stars across all sports including Rugby, Soccer, GAA and Athletics.

We understand the issues you face and we know how to find the answers. So if you are looking for professionals with a proven track record give us a call.

We understand the business and financial environment for sports professionals, associations and enterprises and have the experience and expertise to provide a comprehensive and proactive service.

  • Tax structuring
  • Tax efficient exploitation of image rights
  • Sportsperson’s tax reliefs
  • International tax advice
  • Retirement planning
  • Personal wealth management
  • Investment advice
  • Inheritance tax planning
  • Tax exemptions for sporting bodies
  • Tax efficient funding for sports organisations
  • VAT advice
  • Financial reporting and compliance.


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Transfer Pricing

BDO Ireland assists privately-owned and public businesses find practical solutions to everyday tax challenges, appealing to internal and external stakeholders. We work collaboratively with our BDO Global Transfer Pricing network across more than 60 countries to provide valued advice and execution support to our clients.
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Employment Tax Services

At BDO, we understand international companies' challenges when managing employment tax in Ireland and overseeing global operations from here. That's why we've curated a specialised team of experts committed to simplifying these complexities for you.
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This is not just a simple click 10 [out of 10 marks] without thinking but rather a genuine reflection of how exceptional I think your VAT tax team is. The quality of service is outstanding, but they also combine that with being human beings that it is enjoyable to speak to.

Meet Our Team of Tax Partners

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