Private Company Limited by Shares LTDIreland

Applies to a Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD) in Ireland, with one shareholder who is also the sole director. Other forms have their own requirements. Read 31 Oct 2026 · reviewed 31 Oct 2026 · how we check

The director can do

22 of the 24 below

personally, through the authorities’ own services.

A professional the law requires

• A company secretary Appoint and keep a company secretary
• A licensed auditor — if Audit is required unless the company qualifies as small Have the financial statements audited unless the small-company exemption applies

Not required here

Renewal of a general business or trade licence · Employers' liability insurance · Registration or annual fee with the Data Protection Commission

● a professional the law requires.

Unless an item says otherwise, the director can do it personally through the authority’s own service. Most services need a one-off registration first.

Every year 10

1. File the statutory financial statements with the annual return
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   CRO annual return (Form B1) with the statutory financial statements annexed

   Steps

   1. Prepare the statutory financial statements and the directors' report for the financial year
   2. Have the directors approve the statements and, where an audit is required, obtain the statutory auditors' report
   3. Certify the annexed copies by signature of a director and of the secretary
   4. Log in to the CRO online system and complete the annual return for the return date
   5. Attach the certified statements, directors' report and auditors' report and submit
   6. Keep the CRO acknowledgement with the company's records

   Done when

   The CRO records the return and documents on the company's public file and issues an acknowledgement.

   If missed

   Failure to annex the required documents is a category 3 offence for the company and any officer in default (s.347(5)).

   Who

   The directors approve the accounts; the copies annexed to the return must carry a certificate signed by a director and the secretary, and the return is delivered through the CRO's online system, which needs a CORE account. No professional is required by law.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (3)

   there shall be annexed to the annual return a copy of the following documents that have been, or are to be, laid before the relevant general meeting

   it is accompanied by a certificate of a director and the secretary of the company

   shall be made up to a date falling not more than 9 months before the date to which the annual return is made up

2. Deliver the annual return to the Registrar
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   CORE — Form B1 annual return with the statutory financial statements (mandatory e-filing)

   Steps

   1. Prepare the statutory financial statements and the directors' report for the financial year
   2. Have the directors approve the statements and obtain the auditors' report where an audit is required
   3. Capture the Form B1 on CORE for the return date and confirm officers, shareholders and share capital
   4. Upload the financial statements as a single PDF and the signature page as a separate single PDF
   5. Sign the signature page as a director and as the secretary
   6. Pay the EUR 20 filing fee online: the return is not submitted until it has been paid for
   7. Deliver within 56 days of the return date and keep the CRO acknowledgement

   Done when

   The CRO accepts the B1 and the signature page, the fee is paid, and the company's public file shows the new annual return date.

   Cost

   EUR 20 · Standard filing fee for a Form B1, paid online. A late return adds a €100 late filing fee plus €3 a day, capped at €1,200 per return.

   If missed

   A late return attracts a €100 late filing fee on the day after the 56-day deadline, plus €3 a day to a maximum of €1,200 per return, and loses the audit exemption for the next two years; failing to deliver at all is a category 3 offence, with fines of up to €5,000 on conviction.

   Who

   The return is completed online by the company on CORE, and the signature page must carry the signatures of a director and of the secretary; a CORE account is needed. A director can do the whole filing personally.

   Official revisedacts.lawreform.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   a company shall deliver to the Registrar an annual return in accordance with subsection (4) not later than F252 [ 56 days ] after the annual return date of the company

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   the first annual return date of the company shall be the date 6 months after the date of its incorporation

   Official web.archive.org read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   The CRO introduced mandatory electronic filing for the following documents in June 2017 in accordance with S.I. No. 458 of 2016 and Section 897 of the Companies Act 2014: Form B1 – Annual Return (including financial statements and electronic payment)

3. File and keep current the central register of beneficial owners
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   RBO Portal at rbo.gov.ie (the Registrar has determined that filings are made online)

   Steps

   1. Identify every natural person who owns or controls more than 25% of the shares or voting rights
   2. Where no such person is identified, record the senior managing officials and the steps taken
   3. Enter the required particulars on the RBO Portal at rbo.gov.ie
   4. Submit the filing and keep the RBO acknowledgement
   5. Keep the company's own beneficial ownership register current
   6. Amend the RBO entry within 14 days of any change to that register

   Done when

   The RBO issues a filing acknowledgement and the central register shows the entity's beneficial owners.

   If missed

   Failure to comply is a criminal offence: a class A fine on summary conviction, or a fine of up to €500,000 on conviction on indictment.

   Who

   The law puts the duty on the company's officers — the directors and the secretary — to obtain and confirm the beneficial ownership information and to deliver it to the central register. No professional is required, though company secretarial help is common where trusts or corporate chains are involved.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (3)

   A relevant entity that comes into existence on or after the commencement of this Part shall, within 5 months from its incorporation, deliver the information specified in Regulation 21 to the Registrar

   A relevant entity shall keep and maintain a register (which shall be known, and is in these Regulations referred to, as a “beneficial ownership register”)

   the follow up obligation shall be discharged within 14 days from the date on which the first-mentioned obligation in paragraph (3) falls to be discharged by the relevant entity

4. Have the financial statements audited unless the small-company exemption appliesNeeds a licensed auditor

   Only if: Audit is required unless the company qualifies as small: turnover not over EUR 15 million, balance sheet not over EUR 7.5 million and average employees not over 50, meeting 2 of the 3 in the year and the preceding year.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Appointment of a statutory auditor and signature of the audit report

   Steps

   1. Check whether the company qualifies as small for the year and the preceding year
   2. If it does not, appoint or reappoint a statutory auditor
   3. Give the auditor access to the accounting records and the information required
   4. Receive the auditor's report on the financial statements and directors' report
   5. Annex the signed report to the annual return

   Done when

   The statutory auditors' report is signed and annexed to the annual return.

   Who

   Only a statutory auditor registered with a recognised accountancy body may sign the audit report; a director cannot audit the company's own accounts.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   The directors of a company shall arrange for the statutory financial statements of the company for a financial year to be audited by statutory auditors unless the company is entitled to, and chooses to avail itself of, the audit exemption.

   Official revisedacts.lawreform.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   section 360 (audit exemption) applies to a company in respect of its statutory financial statements for a particular financial year if the company qualifies as a small company in relation to that financial year

   the amount of turnover of the company does not exceed F127 [ €15 million ]

5. Hold the annual general meeting, or pass the unanimous written resolution
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   General meeting of the members, or a unanimous written resolution under section 193

   Steps

   1. Decide whether to hold a meeting or to use the written-resolution route
   2. Circulate the financial statements that would have been laid before the meeting
   3. Obtain the signatures of all members entitled to attend and vote, before the latest date for the meeting
   4. Resolve the matters that would have been resolved at the meeting
   5. Confirm no change to the auditor's appointment
   6. Keep the signed resolution with the minutes

   Done when

   A signed resolution, or the minutes of a duly convened meeting, is held by the company.

   If missed

   Default in holding the meeting is a category 3 offence; the Director of Corporate Enforcement may call a meeting on a member's application (s.175(5), (10)).

   Who

   The directors convene the meeting and the members attend; no professional is required. A sole member can sign the written resolution.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   a company shall in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting

   A company need not hold an annual general meeting in any year where all the members entitled

6. File the corporation tax return (CT1)
   9 months after the end of the accounting period · from the tax calendar
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Revenue Online Service (ROS): CT1 return and iXBRL financial statements

   Steps

   1. Sign in to ROS with the company's tax registration number
   2. Complete the CT1 return for the accounting period
   3. Attach the iXBRL financial statements where required
   4. Submit the return and note the acknowledgement

   Done when

   ROS accepts the return and issues an acknowledgement showing the period filed.

   If missed

   A late return carries a surcharge of 5% of the tax due (capped at EUR 12,695) within two months and 10% (capped at EUR 63,485) after that.

   Who

   A director can file the CT1 through ROS; an agent can be authorised but is not required by law.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   complete and file a CT1 Form and a 46G Form (Company) by the return filing date

   A company must file its return, and pay any tax due, nine months after the end of the accounting period.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   5% of the tax liability for the year of assessment or accounting period to which the tax return relates, subject to a maximum of €12,695, where the tax return is delivered within two months of the filing date.

7. Pay the corporation tax balance
   9 months after the end of the accounting period · from the tax calendar
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   ROS payment of corporation tax

   Steps

   1. Sign in to ROS
   2. Select Corporation Tax and the accounting period
   3. Enter the tax payable and submit the payment
   4. Retain the ROS payment receipt

   Done when

   ROS issues a payment receipt and the company's tax record shows the liability discharged.

   If missed

   Interest runs at a daily rate of 0.0219% on late or short payments.

   Who

   A director can pay through ROS; an agent can pay on the company's behalf but is not required.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   The company must make this payment on, or before, the 23rd of the ninth month.

   Interest is due at a daily rate of 0.0219% on late payments, or payments that are not made in full.

8. Pay preliminary corporation tax
   30 November · from the tax calendar

   Only if: Payable by every company except a new or start-up company in its first accounting period whose corporation tax liability is less than EUR 200,000; such a company pays its final CT charge with its first CT return instead.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   ROS preliminary corporation tax payment (PTL 1 or PTL 2)

   Steps

   1. Estimate the corporation tax liability for the period
   2. Choose the 100% prior-year or 90% current-year basis where the company is small
   3. Sign in to ROS and select Corporation Tax payment for the period
   4. Pay the amount due by the preliminary tax date and keep the receipt

   Done when

   ROS accepts the payment and the statement of account shows preliminary tax credited to the period.

   If missed

   Interest is due at a daily rate of 0.0219% on late payments, or payments that are not made in full.

   Who

   A director can calculate and pay preliminary tax through ROS; the calculation is often made by an accountant but no agent is required.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   Small companies can base their preliminary tax for an accounting period on: 100% of their CT liability for the previous accounting period or 90% of their CT liability for the current period

   New, or start-up, companies do not have to pay preliminary tax for their first accounting period if they have CT that is less than €200,000.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   This must be paid 31 days before the end of their accounting period, and before the 23rd of that month.

9. File the periodic VAT 3 return and pay the VAT
   Day 19 of the following month · from the tax calendar
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   VAT 3 return filed through ROS

   Steps

   1. Total the VAT on sales (T1) and on purchases (T2) for the taxable period
   2. Enter the intra-EU goods and services figures (E1, E2, ES1, ES2) where relevant
   3. Complete the VAT 3 return in ROS
   4. Submit the return and pay the T3 amount by the due date
   5. Keep the ROS acknowledgement

   Done when

   ROS accepts the VAT 3 and issues an acknowledgement; the payment shows on the statement of account.

   If missed

   Interest at 0.0219% a day and a surcharge apply to late VAT returns and payments.

   Who

   A director can file the VAT 3 through ROS; an agent can be authorised but is not required.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   The VAT 3 return records the Value-Added Tax (VAT) payable, or reclaimable, by you in your taxable period.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   within 9 days immediately after the 10th day of the month immediately following a taxable period

   Official revisedacts.lawreform.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   “taxable period” means a period of 2 months beginning on 1 January, 1 March, 1 May, 1 July, 1 September or 1 November

10. Pay commercial rates on business premises
    1 January

    Only if: Levied on the occupier of rateable commercial property in each local authority area; the amount is the rateable valuation multiplied by the annual rate on valuation.

    How, cost and sources

    Where

    Rates bill issued by the local authority, payable to that authority

    Steps

    1. Check the rateable valuation of the premises on the valuation list
    2. Receive the rates bill from the local authority
    3. Pay the amount due, in full or by the authority's instalment arrangement
    4. Keep the receipt for the financial statements

    Done when

    The local authority records the rates as paid for the local financial year.

    If missed

    Unpaid rates carry interest and the local authority may sue for the amount as a debt.

    Who

    The occupier pays the rates bill directly; a property agent may manage it but is not required.

    Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

    Quote (3)

    each rating authority shall impose and collect a charge (in this Act referred to as “a rate”) levied in respect of a relevant property

    The rate calculated under this section in any year shall be due and payable on the first day of January of that year.

    the occupier of the relevant property on the date specified in subsection (3)

Each quarter or month 3

1. Account for the customer's Member State VAT on cross-border goods sales
   1 month after the end of the period

   Only if: Above EUR 10,000 a year of cross-border distance sales of goods and B2C TBE services to EU consumers, the VAT of the customer's Member State is due; below it the place of supply stays in Ireland.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   VAT OSS (Union scheme) in ROS

   Steps

   1. Check cumulative cross-border B2C sales of goods and TBE services against the EUR 10,000 annual threshold
   2. Charge the VAT rate of the customer's Member State once the threshold is exceeded
   3. Choose between registering and accounting for VAT in each Member State and registering for the Union OSS
   4. Register for the Union scheme in the VAT OSS section of ROS if that route is chosen
   5. Total the sales by Member State for the quarter and file the single OSS return
   6. Pay the EU VAT declared through the return

   Done when

   The OSS return is accepted and the VAT is remitted to the Member States of consumption, or the VAT is accounted for in each Member State where the sales are taxable.

   If missed

   Failure to account for the VAT of the customer's Member State leaves the supplier liable there, with interest and penalties in that Member State.

   Who

   A director can register and file the OSS return in ROS; an agent can be authorised but is not required.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   Intra-Community distance sales of goods.

   declare and pay EU VAT due on supplies made under the scheme in a single electronic quarterly return

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   up to an annual threshold of €10,000

2. Account for VAT on digital services sold to EU consumers
   1 month after the end of the period

   Only if: Above EUR 10,000 a year of cross-border TBE supplies to EU consumers, VAT is due in the consumer's Member State; below it the place of supply stays in Ireland. A supplier outside the EU has no threshold: the customer's Member State VAT is due from the first sale.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   VAT OSS Union or non-Union scheme

   Steps

   1. Identify the TBE services supplied to consumers in other Member States
   2. Check the cumulative supplies against the EUR 10,000 annual threshold
   3. Register for the Union scheme in ROS, or the non-Union scheme through the OSS portal if not established in the EU
   4. Apply the VAT rate of the consumer's Member State
   5. File the quarterly OSS return and pay the VAT declared, or account for the VAT in each Member State instead

   Done when

   The OSS return is accepted and the VAT is remitted to the Member States of consumption, or the VAT is accounted for in each Member State where the supplies are taxable.

   If missed

   Failure to register or file leaves the supplier liable to register separately in each Member State, with interest and penalties there.

   Who

   A director can register and file in ROS; where the business is not established in the EU it registers through the non-Union OSS portal, and an intermediary is needed only for IOSS.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   where the supplier is established has his or her permanent address or usually resides up to an annual threshold of €10,000

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   Cross-border supplies of Telecommunications, Broadcast and Electronically supplied (TBE) services to non-taxable persons within the EU.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   This scheme can be availed of by suppliers who are not established, and have no fixed establishment, in the EU.

3. Report payroll and remit PAYE, PRSI and USC
   Day 14 of the following month · from the tax calendar

   Only if: Runs from the first pay day, including a company whose only pay is to its directors.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Revenue payroll submission in real time (ROS or payroll software)

   Steps

   1. Obtain a Revenue Payroll Notification for each employee
   2. Calculate pay, income tax, USC, PRSI and any LPT deduction
   3. Submit the payroll details to Revenue on or before the pay date
   4. Review the monthly statement and accept or amend it
   5. Pay the liability by the due date

   Done when

   Revenue accepts the payroll submission and the monthly statement becomes the return.

   If missed

   Late or missing payroll submissions and payments attract interest and penalties, and the company's tax clearance can be affected.

   Who

   A director can run payroll through ROS or payroll software; an agent or payroll bureau is common but not required.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   You must report the payroll information to Revenue on, or before, the day you make a payment to your employee.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   Monthly 14 days after the end of the month (23 days for ROS users who file and pay online)

Thresholds to watch 1

1. Watch the turnover thresholds that make VAT registration compulsory
   Watch: turnover from services over EUR 42,500 in any 12 months
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   VAT registration through ROS (TR2 for a limited company)

   Steps

   1. Monitor taxable turnover against the services and goods thresholds
   2. Register through ROS within 30 days of the transaction that takes turnover over the threshold
   3. Complete the TR2 registration form for the company
   4. Give the effective date and the details of supplies
   5. Receive the VAT registration number

   Done when

   Revenue issues a VAT registration number and the company appears on the VAT register.

   If missed

   Failure to register on time means the tax is due from the date registration should have taken effect, with interest and penalties.

   Who

   A director can register through ROS; an agent may register on the company's behalf but is not required.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   in the definition of “goods threshold”, by the substitution of “€85,000” for “€80,000”

   in the definition of “services threshold”, by the substitution of “€42,500” for “€40,000”

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   You must apply to Revenue for VAT registration within 30 days of the completion of this transaction.

When something changes 3

1. Supply a PPSN or CRO identity number with every filing naming a director
   At the time of delivery of a CRO form that names a director (A1, B1, B10, B69)
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   CRO CORE — PPSN or verified identity number supplied with Form A1, B1, B10 or B69

   Steps

   1. Obtain the director's PPSN, or apply to the CRO for an identified person number where there is none
   2. Enter the PPSN or identified person number in the CRO form that names the director (A1, B1, B10 or B69)
   3. Submit the form; without the number the filing cannot be made
   4. Keep the number on file, since later filings for the same director must quote it

   Done when

   The CRO accepts the filing with the director's PPSN or identity number validated.

   If missed

   Failing, without just cause, to supply the number is a category 4 offence (s.888A(2)).

   Who

   Each director supplies his or her own PPSN when a form naming them is filed. A director who has no PPSN may apply to the CRO for an identified person number (IPN) and use that instead. Neither route requires a professional.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   a director shall include his or her personal public service number (or, in any case where the director does not have a personal public service number, such other information concerning the identity of the director as stands determined by the Registrar for the purposes of this section) in—

   Any person who, without just cause, fails to comply with subsection (1) shall be guilty of a category 4 offence.

   Official gov.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   PPS numbers must be provided for company directors when submitting forms to the CRO relating to the incorporation of new companies, the filing of annual returns and notifying changes of company directors or secretaries.

2. Notify the Registrar of changes to officers, address and shares
   Within 14 days of change among the directors or in the secretary, or change of registered office
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Change notices in the prescribed forms filed with the CRO

   Steps

   1. Identify the change and the date it happened
   2. Complete the prescribed form for the change (officer, registered office, allotment or resolution)
   3. Have the form signed by a director or the secretary
   4. Submit it to the CRO and pay any fee
   5. Update the company's own register at the same time

   Done when

   The CRO records the change and the public register shows the new particulars.

   Cost

   No fee · Electronic filing is free for a Form B10 (change of directors or secretary) and a Form B2 (change of registered office); a Form B5 return of allotments carries a €15 fee.

   If missed

   Failure to notify is a category 3 or 4 offence depending on the change; the company and any officer in default are liable.

   Who

   A director or the secretary can file the change notice; no professional is needed.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   The company shall, within the period of 14 days after the date of the happening of— (a) any change among its directors

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   Notice of any change in the situation of the registered office of a company shall be given in the prescribed form, within 14 days after the date of the change

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   it shall, within 30 days after the date of allotment, deliver particulars of the allotment in the prescribed form to the Registrar

3. Enrol eligible employees in My Future Fund and remit contributions
   At the time of payment of emoluments to a participant

   Only if: Employees aged 23 to 60 earning more than EUR 20,000 a year who are not in a qualifying occupational pension are automatically enrolled from 1 January 2026.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   MyFutureFund employer portal, with contributions through the payroll

   Steps

   1. Register the employer's details on the MyFutureFund portal
   2. Check which employees are participants and which employment is exempt
   3. Deduct the participant contribution from pay and calculate the employer contribution
   4. Pay both contributions to the Authority on or before the pay date
   5. Keep the payroll records of each contribution

   Done when

   The Authority receives the contributions and the participant's account shows them.

   If missed

   Unpaid contributions carry interest from the date the contribution becomes due until payment, at a daily rate of 0.0274 per cent (s.138).

   Who

   The employer registers on the MyFutureFund portal and runs the deduction through payroll; a payroll provider is common but not required.

   Official gov.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   Auto-enrolment is a new retirement savings system for employees that was introduced on 1 January 2026.

   earn more than €20,000 per year and are aged between 23 and 60 will be automatically enrolled

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   the employer shall, in accordance with the notification, on or before making any payment of emoluments to the participant—

At all times 5

1. Keep the company's statutory registers
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   The company's own registers, kept at its registered office or another notified place

   Steps

   1. Open a register of members recording names, addresses, shares and dates of entry and exit
   2. Open a register of directors and secretaries with the particulars the Act requires
   3. Open a beneficial ownership register under the 2019 Regulations
   4. Record every change in the relevant register when it happens
   5. Keep the registers available for member inspection at the registered office

   Done when

   The registers exist, are complete and are available for inspection at the registered office.

   If missed

   Default in keeping the register of members is a category 3 offence (s.169(6)).

   Who

   The company itself keeps the registers; a director or the secretary can maintain them, and members have a right to inspect them.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   a company shall keep a register of its members and enter in it the following particulars

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   of its directors and secretaries and, if any, its assistant and deputy secretaries

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   A relevant entity shall keep and maintain a register (which shall be known, and is in these Regulations referred to, as a “beneficial ownership register”)

2. Maintain a registered office in the State
   Within 14 days of change in the situation of the registered office
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Notice of change of registered office in the prescribed form to the CRO

   Steps

   1. Decide the new registered office address in the State
   2. Complete the prescribed change-of-registered-office form
   3. Sign and submit it to the CRO
   4. Update the company's letterhead, website and correspondence with the new address

   Done when

   The CRO records the new registered office on the public register.

   If missed

   Failure to comply is a category 4 offence for the company and any officer in default (s.50(6)).

   Who

   A director or the secretary can give the notice. The office may be care of an approved registered-office agent, which is a commercial service, not a legal requirement.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   A company shall, at all times, have a registered office in the State to which all communications and notices may be addressed.

   Notice of any change in the situation of the registered office of a company shall be given in the prescribed form, within 14 days after the date of the change

3. Appoint and keep a company secretaryNeeds a company secretary
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Appointment by the directors, entered in the register of directors and secretaries and notified to the CRO on Form B10

   Steps

   1. Have the directors appoint a secretary, who may be one of the directors but, where there is only one director, must be someone else
   2. Confirm the appointee is at least 18 and is not an undischarged bankrupt
   3. Enter the secretary's particulars in the register of directors and secretaries
   4. Notify the CRO of the appointment on Form B10 within 14 days

   Done when

   The appointment is recorded in the company's own register and on the CRO file.

   Who

   Every company must have a secretary, and a director may hold the office. In the default founder setup — one shareholder who is also the sole director — that director may not also be secretary (s.129(6)), so a second individual must be appointed and the law puts the office in someone else's hands. The directors must also be satisfied that the appointee has the skills or resources for the role (s.129(4)).

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (2)

   A company shall have a secretary, who may be one of the directors.

   Where a company has only one director, that person may not also hold the office of secretary of the company.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   of its directors and secretaries and, if any, its assistant and deputy secretaries

4. Prepare and keep up to date a written safety statement
   Each year on the anniversary of preparation or last amendment of the safety statement

   Only if: Every employer with one or more employees must prepare one; an employer with 3 or fewer employees may instead observe a relevant code of practice (s.20(8)).

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Written safety statement based on the risk assessment under section 19

   Steps

   1. Identify the hazards and carry out the risk assessment under section 19
   2. Prepare a written statement specifying how safety, health and welfare are secured and managed
   3. Record the hazards, risks, protective measures, emergency plans, duties and responsible persons
   4. Bring the statement to employees' attention at least annually and to new employees on starting
   5. Review and amend it after a significant change or an inspector's direction
   6. Keep a copy available for inspection at or near the workplace

   Done when

   The written statement exists, has been brought to employees' attention, and is available for inspection at or near the workplace.

   If missed

   Failing to discharge the duty to prepare a safety statement is an offence under s.77(2)(a); on conviction on indictment the penalty is a fine not exceeding €3,000,000 or imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both (s.78(2)).

   Who

   The employer, acting through its directors, prepares the statement; the Act requires no professional.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   Every employer shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a written statement (to be known and referred to in this Act as a “safety statement”)

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   fails to discharge a duty to which he or she is subject by virtue of sections 8 ... 15 to 23

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €3,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both

5. Keep accounting records for at least six years
   Keep for 6 years
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   The company's own accounting records

   Steps

   1. Keep records of all sums received and spent, with the supporting invoices and bank records
   2. Keep records of assets and liabilities and of stocktaking
   3. Preserve them for at least six years after the end of the financial year concerned
   4. Make them available to the directors, auditors and Revenue on request

   Done when

   The records exist for the full six-year period and can be produced on request.

   If missed

   Contravening the record-keeping provisions is an offence for the company and any officer in default (s.286).

   Who

   The company keeps the records; no professional is required to hold them.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   shall be preserved by the company concerned for a period of at least 6 years after the end of the financial year containing the latest date to which the record, information or return relates.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   A company shall keep or cause to be kept adequate accounting records.

Once, at the start 2

1. Register as an employer before the first payroll
   At the time of first payment of emoluments

   Only if: Required before paying the first employee; a company must register and operate PAYE on its directors' income even with no other employees.

   How, cost and sources

   Where

   Employer registration through MyEnquiries in ROS

   Steps

   1. Sign in to ROS with the company's tax number
   2. Open MyEnquiries and notify Revenue of the company's name and address and intention to pay staff
   3. Receive the employer registration number
   4. Set up payroll software or ROS payroll reporting before the first pay day

   Done when

   Revenue registers the company as an employer and issues an employer number.

   If missed

   Trading without registration leaves the company liable for the PAYE, PRSI and USC it should have deducted, with interest and penalties.

   Who

   A director can register the company through ROS; an agent can do it but is not required.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote (3)

   If you hire an employee, you must register as an employer.

   You should do this through MyEnquiries in the Revenue Online Service (ROS) before paying your employee.

   A company must register as an employer and operate PAYE on the income of directors even if there are no other employees.

2. Set the first financial year and file two CT1 returns if it runs past 12 months
   How, cost and sources

   Where

   First financial year end chosen by the directors; CT1 returns filed in ROS

   Steps

   1. Choose a first financial year end no more than 18 months after incorporation
   2. Where the first financial year runs past 12 months, divide it into two corporation tax accounting periods at the 12-month point
   3. Prepare the financial statements for the financial year and annex them to the annual return
   4. Complete a CT1 return and the iXBRL financial statements for each accounting period
   5. Pay the corporation tax for each period by its own due date

   Done when

   ROS accepts both CT1 returns and the CRO records the annual return with the first financial year's statements annexed.

   Who

   The directors choose the first financial year end and can file both CT1 returns and the accounts themselves through ROS and CORE; no professional is required by law.

   Official irishstatutebook.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   A company's first financial year is the period beginning with the date of its incorporation and ending on a date no more than 18 months after that date.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   CT is charged on the profits in a company’s accounting period. This period cannot be longer than 12 months.

   Official revenue.ie read 31 Oct 2026

   Quote

   A form CT1 can cover a maximum a period of 12 months, as per section 27(3) of the 1997 Act. If accounts are prepared for a period longer than one year, they are regarded as covering a number of accounting periods. A completed form CT1 must be submitted for each accounting period, none of which can exceed 12 months. The first return will be of twelve months’ duration, and the second will relate to the remainder of the period.

General information, not advice: what the law and the authorities state, for the default case.

Standard rate

23%

Official European Commission, Taxes in Europe Database situation on 2026-07-01

Other rates

• 13.5% Hotel lettings, admissions to cinemas, theatres, museums and exhibitions, amusement services, certain printed matter, certain fuels, building, repair, cleaning and maintenance services
• 9% Periodicals, e-periodicals, sport facilities, electricity and gas
• 4.8% Livestock in general, including horses intended for food or agricultural production
• 0% Exports, intra-Community supplies to VAT-registered EU businesses, certain food and drink, books and e-books, children's clothing and footwear, and solar panels on private dwellings and recognised schools

Official revenue.ie read 22 Oct 2026

Quote

Effective from Standard rate (%) Reduced rate (%) Second reduced rate (%) Livestock rate (%) Flat-rate addition (%) 1 January 2025 23 13.5 9 4.8 5.1

Registration threshold

EUR 42,500

services only; €85,000 for goods, and for goods-and-services where 90% or more of turnover is from goods; 12 months

Official revenue.ie read 22 Oct 2026

Quote

Value-Added Tax (VAT) registration is obligatory when your annual turnover exceeds the VAT thresholds. If your turnover is less than a threshold limit, you may elect to register for VAT.

Voluntary registration

Yes

A business below the threshold, and farmers and fishers, may elect to register for VAT; an election can only take effect from a current date, not retrospectively.

Official revenue.ie read 22 Oct 2026

Quote

Value-Added Tax (VAT) registration is obligatory when your annual turnover exceeds the VAT thresholds. If your turnover is less than a threshold limit, you may elect to register for VAT.

A foreign company

Registers from its first taxable supply

A person not established in the State must register and account for Irish VAT on taxable supplies to taxable customers irrespective of turnover, unless the EU VAT SME Scheme applies. Revenue's guidance names no tax representative requirement.

Official revenue.ie read 22 Oct 2026

Quote

A person, while not established in the State, needs to register and account for VAT if that person supplies

Returns filed

Depends on the business

Official revenue.ie read 22 Oct 2026

Quote

The taxable period is a two-month period (bi-monthly) commencing on the first day of January, March, May, July, September and November.

Tax authority

Revenue Commissioners (Irish Tax and Customs)

Registration page read 2026-10-22

• Business registerCompanies Registration Office (CRO)
• Tax authorityOffice of the Revenue Commissioners (Revenue)
• Tax treatiesRevenue – Double Taxation Treaties listing

6 services name Ireland on their own list: Paysera, Airwallex, Stripe, Revolut, N26, bunq. Each provider, and what a listing means.

Kind

Private limited company

Derived our grouping, the same words in every country

Name in law

Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD)

ISO 20275 code

MNQ7

Secondary GLEIF, Entity Legal Forms code list