Record number of firms seek payment deadline extension

A RECORD number of companies have been seeking deadline extensions and deferrals to paying their taxes in the face of deteriorating economic conditions.

The chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Josephine Feehily, said there was a significant increase in the number of businesses looking to pay taxes by instalment in the past year.

Ms Feehily said tax officials had to make difficult decisions on such requests as it was vital to maintain equitable treatment of all taxpayers. “It’s a very fine balance as we are not bankers,” she told the Dáil Public Accounts Committee.