James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 88 of 25 October 2018, if he will examine options in which line managers of persons who do not use the Internet are entitled to request postal communication for employees that are unable to request such contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45598/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that the Deputy’s Question relates specifically to situations where managers of some community based schemes feel they should be able to engage with Revenue on behalf of employees in certain circumstances.

I am assured that while Revenue actively encourages taxpayers to use its online services as the quickest, easiest and most convenient way to manage their tax affairs, it fully appreciates that some customers are unable to avail of these facilities for different reasons and require additional support.

In the context of PAYE Modernisation and as outlined in my reply to Parliamentary Question 88 of 25 October 2018, Revenue has put alternate arrangements in place for taxpayers experiencing difficulties accessing or using its online services. These arrangements include the ability to request hard copies of End of Year statements by telephone, written correspondence or by calling into a Revenue public office.

While Revenue must always be cognisant of taxpayer confidentiality and general data protection regulations it is accepted that occasions will arise where a person requires another individual to act on his or her behalf (with Revenue) in respect of their tax affairs. In such circumstances, Revenue will engage with a nominated representative providing that person can clearly prove that the taxpayer has authorised him/her to operate in that capacity.

In the specific circumstances that I believe the Deputy is highlighting, it could be that the request for an End of Year statement is made to Revenue by a line manager and the hard-copy documentation is sent directly to the taxpayer in question thereby ensuring against any breach of confidentiality.