As we kick off 2022, our tax team review the 2021 exchequer figures recently published by the Department of Finance. Overall, the exchequer results are exceptionally strong given the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on many businesses during 2021, with an overall reduction in the exchequer deficit of €5bn compared to 2020.
The exchequer results figures released by the Department of Finance show an increase in tax revenues across almost all tax heads, giving rise to a total increase in tax revenues of 19.7% compared to 2020. Corporation tax receipts have continued to increase at unexpected levels, which has led to corporation tax revenues coming within €100m of VAT revenues for the first time. However, recent comments from the Minister of Finance suggests corporation tax receipts are expected to decline from 2023 when the new 15% corporation tax rate for large multinationals takes effect.
Understandably, given the major impact of Brexit from a VAT and customs perspective, customs duties increased by over 90% in 2021 compared to 2020. However, it is worth noting that customs receipts would generally have been at a very low level prior to Brexit and therefore this level of increase is unsurprising. Most notable from the exchequer results released is the significant increase in capital gains tax receipts. CGT receipts for 2021 increased by 72.6% in 2021 compared to 2020. Considering CGT is a well-established tax base, and no major legislative changes were made in 2021 compared to 2020, this increase in revenues is most likely attributed to rising property prices, along with the significant increase in activity and prices obtained in the merger and acquisition (“M&A”) sphere which has been evident over the past 12 months.
Derek Dervan, Partner, leads the firm’s corporate finance function and has observed this increase in M&A activity first-hand in 2021. Derek expects the transactions market to remain strong, with 2022 starting where 2021 left off.
If you are considering a sale of your business, the acquisition of a new business or a restructuring of your current operations, Derek and Brendan Murphy, Tax Partner, would be delighted to speak to you to ensure that your business is structured and transaction-ready, to ensure that the best results can be achieved.
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