the govt tax is 30 euro per year at the moment. normally you would pay it on closure of your existing card. when the balance on that card is zero, you can call aib for a govt stamp duty cert which confirms you have paid it for 2010. you can send that into tesco then so that you are not charged the 30 euro in april 2011. the closure letter sent does not mention govt stamp duty being paid. i got one and it mention govt stamp duty has been applied on closure and to cancel any subscriptions on the card. when the balance was zero, i called them and had the exemption cert within 3 days.