RMcH states: With the 2026 tax compliance season approaching, businesses, individuals and their advisers should review upcoming filing returns and payment obligations across CAT, CGT, Income Tax and Corporation Tax. Understanding the relevant deadlines in advance can help taxpayers manage cash-flow requirements, identify available reliefs and avoid unnecessary interest or penalties.
i) Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT)
The valuation date of a gift or inheritance is particularly important for CAT purposes, as it determines when the CAT return must be filed and any liability paid.
Where the valuation date falls:
- between 1 January and 31 August, the pay and file deadline is 31 October of that year; and
- between 1 September and 31 December, the pay and file deadline is 31 October of the following year.
For gifts and inheritances with valuation dates in the year ended 31 August 2026, Revenue has confirmed an extension to Wednesday, 18 November 2026, where the IT38 return is filed and the appropriate payment is made through ROS. Both the filing and payment must be completed through ROS to qualify for the extension.
Determining the valuation date is therefore an important first step when advising on a gift or inheritance. In general, the valuation date for a gift is the date on which the gift is received. The valuation date for an inheritance can be more complex and should be considered carefully based on the circumstances.
It is also important to establish whether a CAT return is required, even where no CAT liability ultimately arises. An IT38 return is generally required where the taxable value of benefits received exceeds 80% of the relevant group threshold. A return is also required where a claim is being made for certain reliefs, including Agricultural Relief or Business Relief, even where the 80% threshold has not been exceeded.
ii) Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
For individuals and other taxpayers subject to the CGT payment regime, the payment deadlines for 2026 disposals are:
- disposals made between 1 January and 30 November 2026 – CGT is payable by 15 December 2026; and
- disposals made between 1 December and 31 December 2026 – CGT is payable by 31 January 2027.
The CGT return itself is generally due by 31 October of the year following the year of disposal, even where no tax is ultimately payable because of reliefs or allowable losses.
For companies, corporation tax on chargeable gains is generally dealt with through the company’s normal Corporation Tax return and payment obligations. However, specific rules can apply in certain circumstances, including disposals of development land, and these should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
For individuals who are chargeable persons and file a Form 11, details of capital gains should generally be included in the Form 11. Where an individual is not required to file a Form 11, other return mechanisms, including Form CG1, may apply depending on their circumstances.
Clients who have disposed of shares, investment properties, businesses or other assets during 2026 should therefore be identified early, with the relevant acquisition costs, enhancement expenditure, disposal proceeds and supporting documentation reviewed in advance of the payment deadline.
iii) Income Tax
The Pay and File deadline for the 2025 tax year is 31 October 2026. Where the taxpayer both files their Form 11 and makes the appropriate payment through ROS, the deadline is extended to Wednesday, 18 November 2026.
The October/November deadline covers three key obligations:
- filing the 2025 Income Tax return;
- paying any balance of Income Tax due for 2025; and
- paying preliminary tax for 2026.
Preliminary tax should be considered carefully when preparing the return. In general, a taxpayer can satisfy the preliminary tax requirement by paying at least the lower of:
- 90% of the final tax liability for 2026; or
- 100% of the final tax liability for 2025.
Another important planning point is the treatment of certain pension contributions.
Where a qualifying PRSA contribution is made after the end of the tax year but before the relevant deadline, an individual may be able to elect to have the contribution treated as relating to the previous tax year for tax relief purposes. Revenue confirms that the contribution must first be paid and the election made within the applicable deadline.
Accordingly, where appropriate, clients should be advised to consider whether additional pension contributions could provide an opportunity to reduce their 2025 Income Tax liability. The relevant contribution and election must be completed within the applicable deadline, and the normal limits for pension tax relief continue to apply.
iv) Corporation Tax
Corporation Tax compliance deadlines depend on the company’s accounting period.
For companies with a 31 December 2025 year-end, the Corporation Tax return and payment deadline falls on 23 September 2026. Revenue’s tax calendar confirms the relevant Corporation Tax filing and payment deadlines by accounting period.
Preliminary tax obligations should also be reviewed carefully.
For large companies with an accounting period running from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2026, the first preliminary tax instalment was due on 23 June 2026, with the second instalment due on 23 November 2026. Companies should confirm that the June obligation was met and, where it was missed, consider making the payment as soon as possible to minimize potential interest exposure.
For small companies with the same accounting period, preliminary tax is generally payable in one instalment by 23 November 2026.
Given the potential consequences of late or insufficient preliminary tax payments, companies should review their expected 2026 taxable profits and consider whether their preliminary tax position remains appropriate.
Other Compliance Obligations
The deadlines outlined above represent some of the more significant tax obligations arising over the coming months, but they are not exhaustive.
Businesses and individuals should also consider their ongoing obligations in areas including:
- VAT returns and payments;
- payroll taxes and reporting;
- Relevant Contracts Tax;
- Dividend Withholding Tax;
- Stamp Duty;
- employer reporting obligations; and
- other sector-specific tax and filing requirements.
With the 2026 Pay and File season approaching, reviewing these obligations now can provide valuable time to identify missing information, quantify liabilities and consider available reliefs and tax-planning opportunities.
Early preparation is key. We recommend that clients review their upcoming tax obligations with their adviser well in advance of the relevant deadlines to ensure returns are filed correctly and payments are made on time.
Contact Our Tax & Legal Team Today to discuss your 2026 compliance obligations and ensure you are prepared for the upcoming Pay and File season.
The information in this article is provided for general guidance only and should not be regarded as tax or legal advice. Specific circumstances should be reviewed with an appropriate professional adviser. Tax legislation and Revenue practice may change, so the position should be confirmed at the time of filing.
courtesy of OmniPro / Revenue