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We here at Carbery Fingleton & Co know that starting a new business is an exciting time, full of plans, ideas and ambition. Amid the work of finding customers, setting up premises and building a brand, tax registrations can easily slip down the list. Yet getting them right from the outset is one of the most important steps you will take. Registering late, registering for the wrong taxes or missing an obligation altogether can lead to backdated liabilities, interest and penalties at the very time your business can least afford them.

If you are planning to launch a business in 2027, the first few weeks are the ideal time to put the right foundations in place. Here are five tax registrations every new Irish business owner needs to get right.

1. Register for the Right Income or Corporation Tax

Your first decision is how to structure the business, as this determines which taxes you register for. If you trade as a sole trader, you will need to register with Revenue for income tax as a self-employed person. You will then be responsible for filing an annual tax return and paying your tax under the self-assessment system.

If you set up a limited company, the company must first be incorporated with the Companies Registration Office and then registered with Revenue for corporation tax. The company is a separate legal entity, with its own tax obligations and filing deadlines, while you as a director will have your own personal tax responsibilities.

If you trade under a name other than your own, you may also need to register a business name with the Companies Registration Office. Choosing the right structure has significant tax, legal and financial implications, so it is worth taking advice before you decide.

2. Consider VAT Registration Carefully

VAT registration becomes compulsory once your turnover exceeds, or is likely to exceed, the relevant threshold, which differs for businesses supplying goods and those supplying services. Many new business owners wait too long, only to discover they should have registered earlier and must account for VAT on past sales they did not charge it on.

In some cases, registering for VAT voluntarily before reaching the threshold can be beneficial. It allows you to reclaim VAT on start-up costs such as equipment, fit-out and stock, which can help cash flow in the early months. However, if your customers are mainly consumers who cannot reclaim VAT, registering may make your prices less competitive. If you plan to trade with businesses in other EU countries or sell online to consumers across the EU, additional VAT rules may apply from your very first sale.

3. Register as an Employer Before Your First Payroll

If you plan to employ staff, including family members, you must register as an employer with Revenue before you make the first payment of wages. As an employer, you will be responsible for deducting income tax, USC and PRSI from employees’ pay, reporting each payment to Revenue in real time and paying over the amounts deducted.

This also applies if you set up a company and intend to pay yourself a salary as a director. Running payroll correctly from the start, including auto-enrolment pension contributions for eligible employees, avoids the stress of correcting errors later. Choosing reliable payroll software or outsourcing payroll can make this much simpler.

4. Check for Sector-Specific Registrations

Depending on your business, other registrations may be required. If you work in construction, forestry or meat processing, Relevant Contracts Tax rules are likely to apply, whether you are a principal contractor engaging subcontractors or a subcontractor yourself. Subcontractors who are not registered with Revenue can face significant deductions from their payments.

If you plan to import or export goods outside the EU, including to and from Great Britain, you will need an EORI number for customs purposes. Businesses dealing in certain products, such as alcohol, tobacco or fuel, may also need specific licences. Checking these requirements early prevents delays when you start trading.

5. Set Up Revenue Online Access and Plan Your Deadlines

Most tax returns and payments must now be filed online through Revenue’s systems, so setting up your online access early is essential. Once registered, make a note of your key deadlines, including VAT return dates, payroll reporting, preliminary tax payments and annual returns.

New business owners are often caught out by the timing of their first tax bills. Sole traders, for example, may face a larger payment in their second year, when tax for the first year falls due alongside preliminary tax for the second. Setting aside a portion of your income from day one can prevent cash flow problems later.

Don’t Miss Start-Up Reliefs

Some new businesses may also qualify for tax reliefs designed to support start-ups. Certain new companies may benefit from relief from corporation tax in their early years, linked to the employer PRSI they pay, and there are reliefs for individuals who start a business after a period of unemployment. Conditions apply, so it is worth checking whether you qualify when you register.

Start Your Business on the Right Footing

Getting your tax registrations right at the beginning saves time, money and stress, and allows you to focus on what matters most: building your business. A short conversation with an adviser before you start trading can help you choose the right structure, register for the right taxes and plan for your first tax bills.

At Carbery Fingleton & Co, we help new business owners choose the right structure, complete their tax registrations and set up the systems they need to start trading with confidence.

If you would like to discuss your business, contact us on or email robert@carberyfingleton.ie or visit carberyfingleton.ie.

Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for general guidance only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication, details may change and errors may occur. This content does not constitute financial, legal or professional advice. Readers should seek appropriate professional guidance before making decisions. Neither the publisher nor the authors accept liability for any loss arising from reliance on this material.