Farmers have been urged to pay their taxes on time this year as Revenue is taking a firmer line on outstanding liabilities.

Accountants have warned clients that Revenue is sticking to the “letter of the law” on due dates for taxes, with the threat of outstanding payments being handed over to the sheriff for collection being issued far more quickly this year.

“There is a lot less flexibility from Revenue this year,” said Declan McEvoy of ifac.

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“It would be incorrect to say that Revenue is being unfair; it is simply applying the law as it is. Revenue was very accommodating over the last two years during COVID-19, but it appears to be a lot stricter and less flexible this year,” he added.

McEvoy said he was aware of cases involving small and medium-sized businesses that had received letters from the Revenue informing the owners that they had seven days to pay their taxes or the matter would be handed over to the county sheriff.

Kieran Coughlan of Coughlan Accounting in Cork said the “relaxed approach” that Revenue had adopted over the last two years had given way to a firmer application of the tax rules.

“Maybe Revenue is looking to get everyone back on an even keel when it comes to paying tax, but definitely it is not tolerating anyone not filing returns or failing to make a full payment in respect of their current liabilities,” Coughlan stated.

Farmers have not generally been impacted to-date by the stricter stance being taken by Revenue, but butchers and small food businesses are among those in the firing line.

However, McEvoy pointed out that farmers will be filing tax returns between now and 17 November and he urged them to have the facilities in place to pay the bills.