Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Technical error sees Revenue ask foreign businesses for millions of euro

The issue relates to the new ‘VAT Moss’ system.

REVENUE HAS SAID that a “technical error” resulted in around 2,000 overseas businesses being sent incorrect invoices.

These were supposedly for the new VAT Moss system that has been put in place to allow businesses to pay tax abroad without having to register in each jurisdiction.

Revenue has said that it is working to update the system to prevent a recurrence of the problem.

Traders who received the invoices took to social media to express their disbelief, with the error being covered on the WebDevLaw blog. Earlier Alastair Houghton, a member of the HMRC/SME VAT Moss Working Group in the United Kingdom, said that the letters had come from the Irish Revenue Commissioners but had been sent in error.

There has been no financial impact on those who received the invoices and Revenue has issued an apology for the incident.

Earlier letters were asking some individuals for amounts in excess of €1 million.

Invoices were mostly sent to customers in the United Kingdom. Other correspondence is known to have been sent to the Netherlands and possibly the United States.

The letters sent out were addressed from Michael Gladney, the collector-general with the Revenue. Individuals were given instructions on where to transfer money to.

Read: Revenue taking money from people who have undervalued their homes

Also: Minister defends plan to take the cars out of the centre of Dublin

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
18 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mickmc
    Favourite mickmc
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 11:01 AM

    Same happened my wife. According to the company owner the skills the person who replaced her during maternity leave was now need by the company. There was no question of my wife being allowed up skill. He also arranged statutory redundancy and threatened her if she brought him to a tribunal he plead an inability to pay. After taking legal advice just accepted the redundancy at the time as we were not in a position to fight him and need the money in the short term

    215
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute orl
    Favourite orl
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 12:50 PM

    inability to pay is not a defence. it’s a pity that ye did not go ahead with the case.

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mickmc
    Favourite mickmc
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 1:55 PM

    I don’t think he was putting it forward as a defense mere telling her he refuse to pay when he lost the case. Anyway thinks work out better in the long run. She now work for a company that appreciates her talents and is treated with a bit of respect and dignity.

    90
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute orl
    Favourite orl
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 2:59 PM

    @mickmc. I understand. Sometimes you just have to let things go. Equality tribunal awards are enforceable in the Circuit Court so unless he is bankrupt or the business is in liquidation he would have to pay.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry McClatchey
    Favourite Terry McClatchey
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 9:53 PM

    The article is not very clear but as I read it, the company with which she had a contract of employment went into receivership during the period she was off.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fixxxation
    Favourite fixxxation
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 10:45 AM

    Poor woman must have been a dreadful time and traumatic maternity. Hopefully this will give the child a great start in life.

    98
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Linda Daly
    Favourite Linda Daly
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 11:01 AM

    It’s 6 months paid leave and an option of an extra 16 weeks unpaid.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sgt Pepper
    Favourite Sgt Pepper
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 11:56 AM

    Did the equality authority have anything to say about the inequity of not having any paternity leave? They seem to make plenty of other statement on many other matters related to equality from time to time.

    That’s a handy few quid she picked up. Must be great to have rights, is it? I wouldn’t know. I’m only a stay at home father.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Arthur Pewty
    Favourite Arthur Pewty
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 12:48 PM

    Sorry to hear that Pepper. Male privilege, eh? :(

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute orl
    Favourite orl
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 1:28 PM

    @Sgt Pepper the Equality Authority does not exist anymore. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission replaced it. One of their main policy planks is equal paternity leave.

    45
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amy gaffney
    Favourite Amy gaffney
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 5:34 PM

    does your body need time to recover from major expansion/ birth? are you currently breastfeeding?

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Garreth Fitzpatrick-Pothin
    Favourite Garreth Fitzpatrick-Pothin
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 11:55 AM

    If the award is equal to a certain number of weeks wages…is the award then subject to tax?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute orl
    Favourite orl
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 1:25 PM

    @Garreth Fitzpatrick-Pothin if it’s an equal pay case, yes tax is payable. If it’s a breach of statutory rights (like this one – discriminatory dismissal because she returned from maternity leave) there is an exemption in the tax acts which means no tax is payable on this award.

    38
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry L'Oiseau
    Favourite Larry L'Oiseau
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 1:37 PM

    Not meaning to pick a row but I’m not sure you are right the @Orl – can you guide me as to where in the legislation that is please.

    16
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute orl
    Favourite orl
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 1:59 PM

    @Larry L’Oiseau of course – Section 192A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (as amended by Section 7 of the Finance Act 2004).

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Garreth Fitzpatrick-Pothin
    Favourite Garreth Fitzpatrick-Pothin
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 5:40 PM

    Thank you Orl…clears that up…

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Byrne
    Favourite Ian Byrne
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 10:49 AM

    She went on mat leave Nov 2012. How long is mat leave?

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Byrne
    Favourite Ian Byrne
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 10:52 AM

    Apologies I see she attempted to return the following may.

    108
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron D
    Favourite Aaron D
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 10:52 AM

    6 months according to article

    53
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BroadSideSkid
    Favourite BroadSideSkid
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 1:10 PM

    Shock! Horror!

    Journal commenter *Actually Reads Article* …

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BIG -LES
    Favourite BIG -LES
    Report
    Aug 24th 2015, 5:00 PM

    Kip

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds