Govt to survey public on attitude to tax

The public is to be quizzed about their attitudes to tax and what compels them to pay up as part of a nationwide government survey.

The Revenue Commissioners study is the first of its kind and will gauge whether people make payments out of honesty, civic duty or a fear of being caught.

Some 2,000 people will be questioned across the country when the survey is rolled out in September.

A Revenue spokesman acknowledged attitudes to tax compliance had improved and said the survey’s findings will be used to monitor future trends.

“The exact questions to be put have yet to be worked out,” a Revenue Commissioners spokesman said.

“However, broadly speaking we will be interested to find out attitudes to tax compliance, attitudes to tax evasion, what factors influence people to be compliant, for example are they motivated by personal integrity, fear of being caught, civic duty.

“This is the first study of its kind to be carried out in Ireland by Revenue.”

The Attitudes and Behaviour Survey 2008 will be conducted through face-to-face interviews on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners.

Four times a year the State publishes a list of tax defaulters which frequently includes high-profile figures.

Last year it was revealed Tipperary Independent TD Michael Lowry paid a personal tax debt of more than €190,000 while retired Fianna Fáil senator Eddie Bohan had to fork out over €2m.

He was forced to make the massive settlement for failing to pay income tax and not declaring offshore assets.

Earlier this year Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s brother, publican Christy Cowen, paid out €96,351 in under-declared tax and VAT on his licensed, Co Offaly business.

In 2006 staunch Fianna Fáil supporters Michael and Tom Bailey paid out the State’s highest single settlement at €22m.

Their construction firm, Bovale Ltd, was investigated by the Flood Tribunal which found that Michael Bailey made payments to former Fianna Fáil minister Ray Burke and former assistant Dublin city manager George Redmond.

The settlement was made up of unpaid income tax, corporation tax, VAT as well as interest and payments.

“What we are trying to gauge is do we have public that is compliant, do they feel they pay their fair share and is there a number of people who would still avoid paying taxes or evade it if they find a way,” a Revenue spokesman said.

“Our belief that attitudes to tax and compliance have improved over the years is based primarily on our direct experience of dealing with taxpayers in the course of our business.

“This survey will offer an objective test of attitudes and behaviours and will provide us with a useful benchmark against which to monitor trends in the future.”