Joe.ie : Landmark court decision set to have major impact for Irish backpackers in Australia
The action against the tax was initiated by Irish company Taxback.com, who say that this ruling could have a major impact for Irish people planning to travel for working holidays to Australia.
The 15% tax rate applied to people on 417 or 462 working holiday visas. This rate was applied to all income up to AUS$37,000, which meant that these visa-holders were paying more tax on average than Australian citizens.
Irish Independent: Claiming a tax refund is well worth the effort – and it’s a much simpler process than you might think
How do I make a return?
Set up a MyGovID or ROS account (if self employed) with Revenue. There are two main types of return – Form 11 and Form 12.
“The main thing to remember is Form 12 and Form 11 are not hugely different and neither should be seen as a scary form,” says Marian Ryan of Taxback.com.
Large numbers of workers who were put on the first wage subsidy scheme are unaware they are facing a tax bill, a survey shows.
Almost four in 10 workers do not realise that they may be facing a tax bill after availing of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) payments during the pandemic, according to a survey by Taxback.com. Payments on the TWSS were not taxed at source, unlike its successor the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
The tax practitioners found 95pc of workers who were on the TWSS face paying outstanding tax bills themselves, rather than their employer paying it. Half have yet to check if they have an outstanding tax liability.
Consumer tax manager with Taxback.com Marian Ryan said the findings show that there is still a scarcity of information and awareness among workers who have been placed on the scheme by employers over the last 12 months on their resulting tax position.
The research from over 3,200 taxpayers from Taxback.com’s nationwide database looked at the Irish public’s awareness around tax reliefs.
Marian Ryan, consumer tax manager at Taxback.com commented on the findings: “Medical expenses are possibly the most basic, straight forward tax relief there is — and one that applies to probably every taxpayer in the country. If you see a GP or consultant, or even if you have prescription fees, you are eligible to claim tax relief.
“That nearly three quarters of the population do not claim this relief is indicative of the fact that Irish people, in the main, severely underutilize the tax relief available to them. This contention is supported by Revenue figures which show that in 2018 just 522,800 claims[1] were made for this relief. When you consider that Ireland has approximately 1.9 million employed persons aged 15 years and over[2]– most of whom would be taxpayers and so eligible to claim this relief — it becomes very apparent just how many people are missing out.”
According to a new survey from Taxback.com, nearly 9 out of 10 taxpayers in Ireland are unsure as to how much tax they hand over to Revenue each month.
The tax refund specialists asked over 3,000 taxpayers throughout the country how well they know their own tax affairs and whether or not they would like to know more.
Just 12% surveyed knew exactly what tax they pay, while 34% said they had “no idea” the rate and 46% said they did not understand their payslip.
https://www.joe.ie/news/9-out-10-taxpayers-ireland-unsure-rate-tax-717656
Tax return consultant Taxback.com wants the Minister to reconsider his views on restaurants. Mr Donohoe said that takeaway food and drink outlets are unlikely to be as badly affected by restrictions as dine-in restaurants, so don’t qualify for the scheme.
This was in direct response to Taxback asking if Stay and Spend will be extended to include traditional restaurants which have had to close and change to offering a takeaway service only.
“The fact is, many restaurants, that have never before offered dine-out services, have had to pivot their offering over the last 12 months simply to keep their doors open, staff employed, and heads above water,” said Taxback’s consumer tax manager Marian Ryan.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-40237277.html
Irish Independent: Charlie Weston: Dear boss, can you pay my heating bill? How to claim all you can for your new home office
According to the consumer tax manager at Taxback.com Marian Ryan, you will need to have a formal agreement between you and your employer/business partner that allows you to work remotely.
She says you will not be considered an e-worker if you bring work home outside of normal working hours.
Ms. Ryan says your employer must provide any of the following where necessary to an e-working employee for business use: a computer or laptop, a printer, a scanner, software to allow you to work from home, a telephone, mobile and broadband services, and office furniture.
The lucky ones are getting the tax-free payment of €3.20 a working day from their employer.
The idea of a pay-cut for workers already under significant financial pressure is of course stressful however Marian Ryan, a Consumer Tax Manager at the tax experts, Taxback.com, the change may actually work out better for employees.
“Although, on the face of it, it might not feel like it, but this clarification from Revenue could be seen as a somewhat beneficial development for recipients of the PUP in 2021, as it means that they will not face a big tax bill next January,” said Marian.
Marian Ryan, Consumer Tax Manager of Taxback.com commented: “The usual suspects of tax credits for medical and dental expenses, Flat Rate Expenses, and tuition fees dominated refunds yet again, but we would expect to see some change in this in 2021, as more people avail of the eWorker relief and perhaps take part in the Stay and Spend Scheme.
“Claiming your tax refund is one of the easiest ways to provide a welcome boost to the coffers, particularly facing into a new year.
“With claims going back over four years, there can be a significant amount to collect, and we would encourage everyone to check their tax status and see what they may be owed from the taxman.”
https://www.joe.ie/news/30-of-paye-taxpayers-overpaid-in-2020-715149
“When someone is deemed an e-worker, an individual’s employer may provide all equipment needed to enable them to work from home and once the provision of such items is primarily for business use”, says Marian Ryan, consumer tax manager at Taxback.com.
