Budget 2019 - Tax Strategy Group Papers published

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Sophrosyne

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This is a link to the Tax Strategy Group papers across taxes and excise for Budget 2019.

There is also an interesting paper on Brexit.

I assume it will publish updates when it has received final reports from various working groups.

However, the papers give insights into various proposals for Budget 2019.
 
This is a link to the Brexit paper. Below are some of the high level risks mentioned on indirect taxation:

"Fiscal Implications

Price differentials and trade diversion


Lower price levels in the UK as a result of trade, exchange rate or tax policy measures may cause consumers to source less expensive product outside of the State. This may have the effect of consumers exceeding personal allowances for goods imported, therefore increasing the risk of smuggling and illicit trade, which may in turn impact on the Exchequer and consequently impose an increased requirement for Revenue resources.

Possible return of Duty Free shopping at Ports/Airports


This would significantly impact on indirect tax revenues. Policing of indicative limits for passengers would be very difficult for Revenue to manage and may cause delays in airports and ports. The return of duty free sales would have resource impacts for Revenue as well as impacting on wider social policies.

VAT Retail Export Scheme


VAT revenues may be lost as a result of the significant volume of traffic between the UK and Ireland. This scheme would also place a large administrative and resource burden on Revenue.

Fraud


The management of two separate systems would give rise to heightened potential for fraud through acquisition and carousel fraud and the use of different online platforms.

Administrative and cost implications for business


Post Brexit, additional costs incurred on imports from the UK may include customs duty (if applicable) as well as VAT/Excise which would be due for payment at the time of import.

With trade in goods being treated as ‘third country’ imports and exports, and the supply of services falling outside the EU VAT frameworks, the procedure for indirect tax returns and the point of collection would change. This would result in a permanent increased administrative burden and cost for business.

Traders may use a customs agent for deferred payment of VAT and Excise and for assistance with customs clearance procedure. Such services come at a cost to business. In 2016, over 1.3 million customs declarations were submitted to Revenue by 140 agents on behalf of numerous Irish traders, whereas only 75 individual businesses submitted declarations on their own behalf. This suggests that a significant portion of third country trade is facilitated by agents and this is also likely to be a feature of trade with the United Kingdom post-Brexit.

Loss of administrative cooperation between Ireland and the UK


A loss of effective structures for coordinating policy and operational approaches to tackling fraud as well as for sharing intelligence and coordinating investigations may be detrimental to combatting the risk of fraud post Brexit.

Ireland would be unable to conclude an agreement on administrative cooperation and mutual assistance directly with the UK as a third country. This must be negotiated by the EU. It is important that satisfactory administrative cooperation and mutual assistance arrangements are provided for in the future relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom.

Resource implications for Revenue


Brexit may have a number of implications for Revenue’s administration of indirect taxes, including in relation to IT systems, compliance and customer communications. “


The paper includes details of possible impacts on direct taxation, VAT, Customs & excise and certain stamp duties.

All businesses, but particularly those involved in import/export will have cause for concern.
 
This paper reviews the Social Insurance Fund (SIF), PRSI, possible restructuring of personal taxation to support future financial sustainability of the SIF, extension of additional social insurance benefits/pensions to the self-employed and possible amalgamation of USC and PRSI.
 
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