I see Revenue has issued 12,000 letters to farmers who failed to file self-assessment tax returns for 2017.

Based on Revenue’s average figures, that’s about 9% of the farm community that pays tax every year.

Accounts for 2017 were due at the end of October last year, or mid-November if filing online, and any tax due to Revenue was meant to be paid on 31 October 2018.

“Where this return is submitted after the due date, a surcharge (5% where the return is submitted within two months, otherwise 10%) will be added to your tax liability,” Revenue helpfully reminded the farmers in question.