Taxation in the Republic of Ireland
Taxation in Ireland in 2017 came from Personal Income taxes, and Consumption taxes, being VAT and Excise and Customs duties. Corporation taxes represents most of the balance, but Ireland's Corporate Tax System (CT) is a central part of Ireland's economic model. Ireland summarises its taxation policy using the OECD's Hierarchy of Taxes pyramid, which emphasises high corporate tax rates as the most harmful types of taxes where economic growth is the objective. The balance of Ireland's taxes are Property taxes and Capital taxes.
Irish Corporation Tax as a % Total Irish Tax has between 10% and 16% of Total Irish Tax.
Corporation tax in the Republic of Ireland
Ireland's Corporate Tax System is a central component of Ireland's economy. In 2016–17, foreign firms paid 80% of Irish corporate tax, employed 25% of the Irish labour force, and created 57% of Irish OECD non-farm value-add. As of 2017, 25 of the top 50 Irish firms were U.S.–controlled businesses, representing 70% of the revenue of the top 50 Irish firms. By 2018, Ireland had received the most U.S. § Corporate tax inversions in history, and Apple was over one–fifth of Irish GDP. Academics rank Ireland as the largest tax haven; larger than the Caribbean tax haven system.
Former Finance Minister, Charlie McCreevy, reduced Irish corporate tax from 32% to 12.5% in the 1999 Finance Act, and whose 1997 Tax and Consolidation Act laid the framework for Ireland's BEPS tax tools.
Ireland is ranked as one of the largest global Conduit OFCs in terms of connections to corporate tax havens, the largest global Tax Haven in terms of quantum of profits shielded, and the 3rd-largest global Shadow Banking OFC.
Irish Corporation Tax as a % Irish Exchequer Tax has between 10% and 16% of Total Irish Tax. Source: Department of Finance (Ireland)
Effect of Ireland's Corporate Tax system on Ireland's relative GNI-per-capita to the EU average