John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the time taken to process applications to register new companies for value added tax and the equivalent average processing times in 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16192/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue's Customer Service Standards, published in August 2009, state that 100% of VAT registrations will be dealt with within 10 working days. The 10 working day standard for VAT registrations takes into account an extra level of scrutiny carried out by Revenue to ensure that the VAT registration is in respect of a legitimate trade. VAT registration carries a greater risk of abuse than other registration types.

In 2008, 98% of VAT Registrations were dealt with within 10 working days. This represents 34,503 Registrations out of a total of 35,064. In 2009, 96% of VAT Registrations were dealt with within 10 working days. This represents 27,167 Registrations out of a total of 28,263. To date in 2010, 97% of VAT Registrations were dealt with within 10 working days. This represents 7,891 Registrations out of a total of 8,131.

Revenue is currently developing an on-line self-service registration system through its Revenue On-line Service. This will be available to taxpayers and their agents and will allow them to complete their registration applications on-line. This new service will further reduce the amount of time it takes to register for a VAT number. This development is scheduled for completion in late 2010.