Online tax service criticised

DELAYS in filing tax returns on the Revenue Commissioners’ online service has cost business a minimum of €3 million, according to the Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The ICPA disclosed that, in a survey of members, 98% of respondents experienced difficulties with the Revenue Commissioner’s online filing system ROS in recent weeks.

“The recent difficulties experienced in filing returns online were clearly a problem with Revenue systems. Rather than accepting this, Revenue attempted to blame telecommunication service providers and even practitioners for the difficulties that arose. The Revenue Commissioners made little effort to implement a constructive, short-term solution and their failure to grant a formal extension in the circumstances reflects a worrying attitude towards accountants and tax practitioners,” said president of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland Alan Farrelly.