Question: I’m planning to upgrade my slurry storage and yard safety systems before next winter. Between the new environmental rules and the need to improve safety on the farm, it feels like a good time to get work done. But I’ve heard that some of the special tax reliefs for slurry and safety investments are coming to an end soon. What schemes are still available? What kind of work qualifies, and are there deadlines I need to watch out for? I’d like to make sure I can claim any tax allowances while they’re still open, before committing to major spending.
Answer: It’s great that you’re planning ahead because timing really matters for these reliefs. There are currently two generous tax incentives for farm safety and slurry investments, but both have expiry dates fast approaching. Acting before the deadlines could make the difference between claiming thousands in tax savings or missing out entirely.
Let’s look at how each relief works, what’s eligible, and how to make sure you qualify.
1. Slurry storage: two-year write-off: if you’re investing in new slurry storage or upgrading existing tanks, you can currently claim accelerated capital allowances over two years instead of the usual eight. This means you can write off the full cost – 50% in year one and 50% in year two – against taxable profits.
For example, if you spend €100,000 on slurry storage, you can deduct €50,000 from profits in each of the next two tax years, potentially saving around €40,000 in tax if you’re on the higher rate.
This two-year write-off was due to expire on 31 December 2025 but was extended in the budget to 31 December 2029. Both construction and qualifying expenditure must be completed by 31 December 2029 to qualify.
This relief covers a range of works, slurry tanks, lagoons, reception pits, covered storage and related handling systems as long as they meet Department of Agriculture specifications.
2. Safety equipment investment: the second major relief supports farm safety investments. It allows a 50% write-off each year for two years, effectively giving full relief over the same two-year period. Qualifying items include equipment that improves safety for both people and animals, such as calving gates, anti-backing gates, rollover bars, or fixed and mobile handling units.
This measure is currently available up to the end of 2026, so you have a little longer, but projects should still be planned early.
One key condition is that you must hold a Farm Safety Statement or a certificate confirming compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Agriculture) Code of Practice. Revenue will not allow the relief without it, so keep that certificate on file before claiming the allowance.
3. How these differ from TAMS: a common source of confusion is how these reliefs interact with TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme). They are separate supports:
TAMS gives grant aid – a percentage of the cost is repaid to you. Tax reliefs reduce your taxable profits lowering your income tax bill. You can’t claim tax relief on the portion of any cost that’s already covered by a grant, but you can claim on your own contribution. For example, if TAMS covers 60% of a €50,000 investment, you can still claim allowances on your €20,000 share.
4. Timing and planning: the deadlines for both reliefs mean now is the time to plan. For the slurry scheme, all spending must be completed by 31 December 2029 so there is plenty of time. For safety investments, although the scheme runs to 2026, ordering equipment early ensures availability and certification.
If you’re financing the work, remember that accelerated allowances improve cash flow by reducing taxable income quickly. However, these write-offs are front-loaded, meaning you get the full tax benefit faster, but less in later years. Your accountant can model this to show how it impacts your long-term tax profile.
5. The bigger picture: these reliefs were introduced to encourage safer, more sustainable farmyards and they’ve achieved exactly that. The accelerated write-offs reward those who invest in environmental and safety improvements, but they were always designed as temporary measures. Once they lapse, normal capital allowances will apply again over eight years, spreading tax relief much more slowly.
Good planning, early certification, and coordination with your accountant will ensure you don’t miss the deadlines.
Farm investment tax reliefs Slurry storage (Two-year write-off)
Claim 50% per year for two years.
Work must be completed by 31 December 2029.
Covers tanks, lagoons, covers, and handling systems.
Safety equipment (50% per year)
Claim 50% write-off each year for two years.
Must hold a farm safety statement/certificate.
Available until end of 2026.
Note: Reliefs apply to your own cost only – not to any portion covered by a TAMS grant.
Marty Murphy, Head of Tax, ifac.
Marty Murphy is head of tax at ifac, the professional services firm for farming, food and agribusiness.
Question: I’m planning to upgrade my slurry storage and yard safety systems before next winter. Between the new environmental rules and the need to improve safety on the farm, it feels like a good time to get work done. But I’ve heard that some of the special tax reliefs for slurry and safety investments are coming to an end soon. What schemes are still available? What kind of work qualifies, and are there deadlines I need to watch out for? I’d like to make sure I can claim any tax allowances while they’re still open, before committing to major spending.
Answer: It’s great that you’re planning ahead because timing really matters for these reliefs. There are currently two generous tax incentives for farm safety and slurry investments, but both have expiry dates fast approaching. Acting before the deadlines could make the difference between claiming thousands in tax savings or missing out entirely.
Let’s look at how each relief works, what’s eligible, and how to make sure you qualify.
1. Slurry storage: two-year write-off: if you’re investing in new slurry storage or upgrading existing tanks, you can currently claim accelerated capital allowances over two years instead of the usual eight. This means you can write off the full cost – 50% in year one and 50% in year two – against taxable profits.
For example, if you spend €100,000 on slurry storage, you can deduct €50,000 from profits in each of the next two tax years, potentially saving around €40,000 in tax if you’re on the higher rate.
This two-year write-off was due to expire on 31 December 2025 but was extended in the budget to 31 December 2029. Both construction and qualifying expenditure must be completed by 31 December 2029 to qualify.
This relief covers a range of works, slurry tanks, lagoons, reception pits, covered storage and related handling systems as long as they meet Department of Agriculture specifications.
2. Safety equipment investment: the second major relief supports farm safety investments. It allows a 50% write-off each year for two years, effectively giving full relief over the same two-year period. Qualifying items include equipment that improves safety for both people and animals, such as calving gates, anti-backing gates, rollover bars, or fixed and mobile handling units.
This measure is currently available up to the end of 2026, so you have a little longer, but projects should still be planned early.
One key condition is that you must hold a Farm Safety Statement or a certificate confirming compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Agriculture) Code of Practice. Revenue will not allow the relief without it, so keep that certificate on file before claiming the allowance.
3. How these differ from TAMS: a common source of confusion is how these reliefs interact with TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme). They are separate supports:
TAMS gives grant aid – a percentage of the cost is repaid to you. Tax reliefs reduce your taxable profits lowering your income tax bill. You can’t claim tax relief on the portion of any cost that’s already covered by a grant, but you can claim on your own contribution. For example, if TAMS covers 60% of a €50,000 investment, you can still claim allowances on your €20,000 share.
4. Timing and planning: the deadlines for both reliefs mean now is the time to plan. For the slurry scheme, all spending must be completed by 31 December 2029 so there is plenty of time. For safety investments, although the scheme runs to 2026, ordering equipment early ensures availability and certification.
If you’re financing the work, remember that accelerated allowances improve cash flow by reducing taxable income quickly. However, these write-offs are front-loaded, meaning you get the full tax benefit faster, but less in later years. Your accountant can model this to show how it impacts your long-term tax profile.
5. The bigger picture: these reliefs were introduced to encourage safer, more sustainable farmyards and they’ve achieved exactly that. The accelerated write-offs reward those who invest in environmental and safety improvements, but they were always designed as temporary measures. Once they lapse, normal capital allowances will apply again over eight years, spreading tax relief much more slowly.
Good planning, early certification, and coordination with your accountant will ensure you don’t miss the deadlines.
Farm investment tax reliefs Slurry storage (Two-year write-off)
Claim 50% per year for two years.
Work must be completed by 31 December 2029.
Covers tanks, lagoons, covers, and handling systems.
Safety equipment (50% per year)
Claim 50% write-off each year for two years.
Must hold a farm safety statement/certificate.
Available until end of 2026.
Note: Reliefs apply to your own cost only – not to any portion covered by a TAMS grant.
Marty Murphy, Head of Tax, ifac.
Marty Murphy is head of tax at ifac, the professional services firm for farming, food and agribusiness.
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