Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners are obliged to carry out a revenue audit on a couples finances when one member of the couple request such an audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56754/12]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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One of the primary roles of the Revenue Commissioners is to ensure that all taxpayers meet their tax and duty obligations. I am advised by the Commissioners that they meet that objective by selecting cases for intervention based on the presence of various risk indicators and other information available. Revenue's electronic risk ranking system categorises taxpayers in accordance with defined risk criteria. The system allows for the screening of all tax returns against sectoral and business norms and provides a selection basis for checks or audits. In conducting a risk assessment, the risk system also evaluates information sourced by Revenue directly, as well as data received from third party sources, including state agencies and financial institutions.

On occasions, Revenue also receives information from the general public. While there is not, not should there be, an obligation on the Commissioners to take any particular course of action on foot of such information, I am advised that all information received by them is risk assessed and action may be taken. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that should any taxpayer like to speak to Revenue staff about any specific information that might assist them in investigating tax evasion, they should contact their local Revenue office. However for reasons of confidentiality Revenue will not be in a position to provide feedback on any information received.