Written answers
Tuesday, 18 September 2012
Department of Finance
Retail Sector
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Finance the number of notice of attachments issued by the Revenue in respect of the bank accounts of businesses for each year since 2008 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38244/12]
Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of notice of attachments issued by Revenue in respect of the bank accounts of businesses is set out in column 6 of the table below. Attachment notices can also be served on parties other than financial institutions and in certain circumstances are served on ‘debtors to’ or ‘employer(s) of’ the taxpayer. For completeness the table additionally includes the total number and value of attachment notices issued, and the actual number of businesses on which attachment notices were served.
| Year | Total No. of Attachments Issued | No. of businesses with attachments per year | Total Value of referrals (€m) | No. of Attachments specific to Banks / Building Society | No. of businesses with Attachments specific to Banks / Building Society | Value of Attachments specific to Banks / Building Society (€m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | 2,362 | Not available | 131.4 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
2009 | 3,199 | Not available | 205.5 | Not available | Not available | Not available |
2010 | 4,228 | 2,887 | 232.7 | 3,342 | 2,644 | 182.1 |
2011 | 4,463 | 3,146 | 213.0 | 3,646 | 2,894 | 174.6 |
2012 | 2,793 | 2,073 | 126.8 | 2,299 | 1,870 | 105.3 |
[*Note : Data is not maintained in such a manner that facilitates provision of this information for years prior to 2010.]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in general, cases are referred for enforcement where a taxpayer or business has failed to comply with the obligation to pay tax that is due and where there are no satisfactory proposals towards addressing the debt. In every case, prior to enforcement action by Revenue, the taxpayer or business will have been informed that continuing non-compliance is likely to result in enforcement action.
I am satisfied that Revenue is very committed to engaging with viable businesses and taxpayers who want to pay their taxes but can’t in the short term. There are currently 16,000 businesses in phased payment arrangements involving liability of €123 million. It is critical that businesses or individuals that are experiencing payment difficulties engage with Revenue in a realistic way at the earliest opportunity. Revenue will not initiate enforcement proceedings in situations where there is meaningful engagement and where the terms of any agreement are being adhered to.
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