REVENUE HAD A busy year in 2015 – seizing 68 million cigarettes and 2,364kg of tobacco to the value of €35.5 million.
Some of the cigarettes were found in unusual places – like mannequins and hot tubs.
The organisation also seized 1,377 kilograms of drugs with an estimated value of €23.1 million.
Niall Cody, chair of the Revenue Commissioners, said 2015 was “a positive year with over €45.6 billion collected for the exchequer”, something that “reflects the continuing strong levels of voluntary compliance by our customers”.
“We have a 99% timely filing and payment compliance rate by the largest businesses and a 97% timely compliance rate for medium-sized businesses.”
In 2015, Revenue conducted over 461,000 audits and compliance interventions with a yield of €642.5 million. The organisation obtained 27 convictions for serious evasion and fraud, as well as 2,063 summary convictions for non-filing and other tax and customs related cases.
Smuggling
Retailers Against Smuggling welcomed today’s figures, but noted a growth in the amounts seized.
RAS chair Benny Gilsenan said:
It is good news that Revenue continue to tackle cigarette smuggling but the unjustifiable 50 cent increase on a packet of cigarettes seen in the last budget only makes Ireland a more attractive destination for smuggling which not only hurts the exchequer but also hurts small business.
“We call once again on this government to introduce attachment orders to convictions as the absence of these only serves to incentivise criminals who essentially evade payment of related fines.”
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