Tax registration is the mandatory process for Irish companies to notify Revenue of their incorporation, obtaining a tax reference number (TR) for corporation tax, VAT (if applicable), and PAYE/PRSI compliance. This ensures legal trading, timely filings, and avoidance of penalties from day one of operations.
Tax Registration is the mandatory process every new Irish company must complete with Revenue Commissioners shortly after incorporation to obtain a tax reference number and comply with tax obligations. This step activates your company's ability to legally trade, file returns, and remit taxes like corporation tax, VAT, and PAYE/PRSI.
Upon receiving your certificate of incorporation, you submit Form TR2 online via Revenue's ROS portal, providing company details, director information, and expected activities. Revenue issues a tax reference number (TRN) within days, linking your company to all tax matters. Failure to register promptly risks penalties and inability to reclaim VAT or process payroll legally.
Tax Registration sets the foundation for ongoing compliance, aligning with your first accounting period and CT1 return deadlines. It ensures your business operates within the law from inception, supporting smooth interactions with banks, suppliers, and investors.
Register using Revenue's online TR2 form through the ROS portal within 21 days of incorporation, though earlier submission is advisable. Provide your CRO number, director details, estimated turnover, and whether you expect to charge VAT or employ staff.
Directors sign electronically, confirming accuracy. Revenue processes quickly, emailing your TRN and any VAT number if applicable. Keep this for all tax correspondence and payroll setup.
Complete tax registration as soon as possible after receiving your Form A1 approval, ideally within the first week. Whilst no strict deadline exists beyond general compliance, delays prevent VAT recovery on purchases and payroll registration, halting operations.
Revenue recommends immediate action for new companies to align with preliminary tax payments and first returns tied to your financial year end.
All Irish companies register for corporation tax automatically via TR2. VAT registration is mandatory if turnover exceeds €75,000 (services) or €37,500 (goods) annually, or voluntary earlier for reclaiming input VAT. PAYE/PRSI registration is required before paying employees or directors.
Intra-group or dormant companies still register for corporation tax, ensuring full compliance even without activity.
Unregistered companies cannot legally reclaim VAT, process payroll, or file returns, facing penalties up to €4,000 per offence plus tax interest. Revenue may estimate liabilities, complicating compliance and risking audits.
Banks require your TRN for accounts, blocking operations without it.
The TR2 process is identical, but startups often register voluntarily for VAT to reclaim setup costs and PAYE for early hires. Established firms update details via Form TR1 for changes like new activities triggering higher VAT thresholds.
Your TRN from tax registration identifies you for CT1 returns due nine months post-financial year end. It enables preliminary tax payments avoiding interest, integrating seamlessly with your tax obligations.
