Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money presently owing by businesses to the Revenue Commissioners under each tax heading; the age profile of the arrears; and the steps being taken by the Revenue Commissioners to engage with businesses currently struggling to meet their tax liabilities. [49317/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by Revenue that it reports on the tax debt as at 31 March each year.

On 31 March 2014 the total outstanding debt amounted to €1.840 billion. This figure includes €751m of debt that was under appeal to the Appeal Commissioners and €80m of insolvency debt.

The remaining 'Debt Available for Collection' amount of €1.009 billion is regarded as a more accurate indicator of the debt that is due for collection. Of this amount, €441m was under active enforcement and a further €123m was the subject of phased payment arrangements at 31 March 2014.  

The table below provides an aged analysis breakdown of the 'Debt Available for Collection' amount due under each tax heading as at 31 March 2014.

Finally, I know that Revenue is very conscious of the difficult financial environment and how it can impact on businesses being timely compliant.  For this reason Revenue actively encourages viable businesses experiencing cash-flow or payment difficulties to make contact as soon as such problems start to arise to find an agreed way through the difficulties and restore timely tax payment compliance as quickly as possible. The previously mentioned €123m of debt that is being collected under phased arrangements is a direct result of Revenue's approach in this regard.

Age Analysis of Debt Available for Collection by Year of Assessment as at 31/03/2014

Total €M