Tax returns for January down €660m on last year

GOVERNMENT revenues are continuing to plummet, with the tax take for January down about €660 million, or almost 18%, on the same month last year.

But the Department of Finance last night said the figures were in line with expectations, and reiterated its view that the State’s economic health would improve later this year.

The figures showed that last month’s tax take came to €3.074 billion, a reduction of €660m on the figure for January 2009.