The tyranny of filling in the tax return still has some benefits

While tax is ultimately all about paying money, a critical element of tax collection is the communication between the taxpayer and the Revenue Commissioners to ensure the right amount is paid at the right time. The traditional method of achieving this is by the taxpayer sending in a tax return.

It’s a process which has been streamlined using technology and even delegated, as happens with the Paye system where an employer is largely responsible for the employee’s tax affairs. That at least has been the case in this country, but not everywhere.