Taxation

For many years Ireland’s stable and EU approved low-tax regime has facilitated the establishment and expansion of overseas investment in Ireland. In a 2011 report issued by PwC, the World Bank and IFC, Ireland was ranked as the easiest country in Europe in which to pay business taxes for the forth year running. The key features of Ireland’s tax regime which make it one of the most attractive global investment locations include:

• 12.5% corporate tax rate for active business
• 25% Research & Development (R&D) tax credit which may be refundable over a three year period
• Intellectual property (IP) regime which provides a tax write off for broadly defined IP acquisitions
• Attractive holding company regime, including participation exemption from capital gains tax
• Effective exemption for foreign dividends (12.5% tax rate on qualifying foreign dividends, with flexible onshore pooling of foreign tax credits)
• EU approved stable tax regime, with access to extensive treaty network and EU Directives
• Generous domestic law withholding tax exemptions and reliefs

To find out relevant information about Ireland’s tax regime, please follow the links below:

• Corporate tax
• Employee tax
• Other taxes

The information contained on this webpage and in the documents attached is based on taxation law and practice as at 3 April 2010.