Revenue website deadline
Deputy Troy says SMEs and the self-employed cannot file taxes because the Revenue website is down again and asks for the deadline to be extended without penalties. The Taoiseach says it is a matter for Revenue, though an extension would be appropriate if genuine filers are unable to submit.
Our SMEs and the self-employed are the backbone of our economy. They are trying once again to pay their annual taxes but they are totally frustrated because like yesterday when the system was down, it is down again today and they cannot meet their obligations. We all know 12 November is the annual deadline. It is appalling to think that on two occasions the system was not able to meet demand. Can the Taoiseach give assurances to the House that the deadline will be extended and our SMEs and the self-employed will not face any penalties for late submission?
Comment on this
This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners, which generally have very good IT systems but there have been some problems in the past couple of days. It would be a decision for them to make rather than Government. If the website is down again and people who are genuinely trying to file on time cannot do so, it would be appropriate for the Revenue to extend the deadline again but that would be their call, not mine.