New revenue criteria for referees’ fees rolled out

Referees across the country are adjusting to new criteria agreed by the GAA and the Revenue Commissioners to ensure they receive their match fees for this year.

With several counties set to pay their match officials for the 2012 season in one payment next month, referees are being asked to furnish county and divisional boards with the mileage they accrued going to games and transporting their umpires.

Referees also run the risk of audits if they don’t provide their Personal Public Service (PPS) Numbers.

While, despite comments to the contrary, those on jobseekers benefit could face implications if they have been found to have refereed on a day when they were supposed to be available for work.

Previously, referees have either received their match fees in cash or by cheque without having to provide details of expenses incurred.

However, the Irish Examiner has seen new mileage sheets sent from county officials requesting that PPS numbers and the CC (cubic capacity) of the referee’s vehicle be included.

While counties such as Tipperary have stated that PPS numbers are optional, the Revenue Commissioners are certain to be curious as to why referees have not provided the details. Last March, Limerick’s referees were asked for their PPS numbers.

Officials in counties such as Cavan, Tipperary and Wexford have told their match officials they will be remunerated as they were last year.

In a memo to referees and referees coordinators last month, Tipperary chairman Sean Nugent attempted to assure them they had “nothing to fear from any new arrangements in place”.