“Kinore has allowed a space in our finance manager’s role to provide the higher value add, the strategic commercial advice that we need.”
VAT gets complicated fast.
The moment your business starts selling into Europe, taking on contractors, or crossing a new threshold, VAT rules shift. Managing VAT returns in-house works fine for straightforward domestic trading. But once cross-border transactions, EU customers, or construction subcontractors enter the picture, the gap between what your team can handle and what compliance requires widens quickly.
That gap is where errors happen. Errors lead to penalties and interest being charged. And filing VAT returns is an important obligation that Revenue takes seriously.
Businesses in Ireland must submit accurate returns through the Revenue Online Service (ROS), calculate the correct rate of VAT on every taxable transaction, and reconcile input VAT against output VAT each period. Miss a deadline, apply the wrong VAT rate, or leave a return incomplete, and you are dealing with Revenue chasing the shortfall.
Kinore specialise in expert VAT return compliance for Irish businesses. Whether you are submitting VAT returns for a domestic operation or navigating complex cross-border obligations, we handle it with precision.
There is a point where managing VAT returns moves from an admin task to a technical obligation. Here are the scenarios a growing business in Ireland encounters most
EU transactions and exports: Once you sell to EU customers, you need to know which VAT rate applies, whether zero-rated or reduced rate treatment is eligible, and what EU reporting obligations are triggered.
OSS registration: Businesses selling digitally to consumers across EU member states often need to register for VAT via the One Stop Shop. It simplifies reporting but introduces new compliance requirements.
Reverse charge VAT and Intrastat: Reverse charge rules apply to certain goods and services, particularly in construction and cross-border services. Intrastat reporting becomes applicable once EU trade exceeds Revenue thresholds.
Approaching the VAT threshold: If your turnover is rising, understanding when you are required to register for VAT, what becomes taxable, and what remains exempt is critical. Businesses that need to register for VAT should act before the threshold is crossed, not after.
Construction sector obligations: In construction, VAT and RCT overlap in ways that create real risk. The tax implications are significant, and the cost of filing incorrectly is immediate.
Each of these areas sits within Irish tax laws and tax regulations that most in-house teams are not equipped to advise on confidently. We are.
Relevant Contracts Tax is one of the most misunderstood compliance obligations for a business in Ireland operating in construction, forestry, or meat processing. And when it goes wrong, the consequences are felt immediately.
Before any payment can be made to a subcontractor, you must notify Revenue. The Revenue Commissioners then calculate the correct deduction rate: 0% for fully compliant subcontractors, 20% as the standard rate, or 35% for those with outstanding issues. Returns must be filed through ROS before payment is released.
If RCT filing falls behind, the subcontractor does not get paid. That disrupts projects, damages working relationships, and creates operational problems that are entirely avoidable.
Kinore files RCT notifications with Revenue on your behalf, monitors deduction rates, and ensures contractor payments are never held up by a compliance backlog.
Our VAT return filing service is more than a processing function. It is a structured, accountancy-led service designed to keep your business compliant, protected, and informed.
Preparation and submission of Irish VAT returns via ROS
Input VAT and output VAT reconciliation for each period
OSS registration and ongoing EU reporting, where applicable
Guidance on zero-rated, exempt, and reduced rate treatment
RCT notifications and return filings for relevant sectors
Annual VAT review and VAT payments reconciliation
Monitoring all deadlines, with advance reminders before each filing
Direct liaison with Revenue when queries arise
Once onboarded, we manage the process. You receive confirmation each time. No chasing, no guesswork.
A VAT expert monitors all your deadlines and reviews every submission carefully, ensuring accurate returns and helping you avoid costly penalties.
We look for VAT savings opportunities and guide you on the correct treatment of transactions, giving you clarity and improving your cash flow.
As your business grows, we adapt to new VAT needs, including EU or international requirements such as VIES and Intrastat filings, so you always remain fully compliant.
Most clients come to us because something has started to feel risky. Deadlines are close. Confidence in the filings is low. A new market has opened up, and the VAT treatment is unclear. Or an audit query from Revenue has arrived, and nobody is sure how to respond.
Kinore is a structured, senior-led firm. Every client has a dedicated team. Returns are reviewed by qualified accountants, not junior processing staff. When a VAT-related question comes up, you get a clear answer from someone who understands your business.
We advise clients across all return frequencies. Whether you file quarterly, on a bi-monthly schedule, or must file at other intervals, we tailor the service to your obligations. As your advisor, we help you meet your VAT responsibilities, optimise your VAT position within the rules, and stay compliant without having to become an expert in tax regulations yourself.
Business owners working with Kinore do not spend their time managing compliance. That is what we are here for. Financial advisors and clients alike describe us as a firm that combines the precision of a specialist VAT return service with the reliability of a long-term finance partner.
Hear directly from the businesses we’ve helped grow, adapt, and stay compliant, and see how the right finance partner can give you confidence and time back to focus on what matters most.
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“Kinore has allowed a space in our finance manager’s role to provide the higher value add, the strategic commercial advice that we need.”
Aebhín Cawley
“Our partnership with Kinore has been excellent. The team are professional and approachable, and they always deliver to a very high standard. We value the relationship and the support they provide to us.”
Stephen McDonnell
We begin with a short call to review your turnover, transaction types, and VAT scheme. This ensures we fully understand your VAT obligations from the start.
You’ll need to provide sales invoices, purchase receipts, and bank records. These allow us to calculate VAT accurately and prepare returns with confidence.
We require your VAT registration number and copies of any previous returns. This ensures we file correctly and maintain continuity with Revenue’s records.
Managing VAT returns across domestic and cross-border activity is time-consuming, and the obligation grows with your business. Start with a discovery call.
Talk to Kinore. Tell us your situation, and we will help you meet your VAT responsibilities and keep every return correct.
You are required to register for VAT once your turnover exceeds €85,000 for goods or €42,500 for services. You can also register voluntarily to reclaim VAT paid on purchases. Businesses that need to register for VAT should act promptly to avoid retrospective liability.
Source: revenue.ie/en/vat/vat-registration
Ireland applies several rates. The standard rate is 23%. A reduced rate of 13.5% applies to certain goods and services including construction, fuel, and hospitality. A further reduced rate of 9% applies in selected sectors. Zero-rated and exempt categories apply where the rate applicable is nil or VAT does not arise. Source: revenue.ie/en/vat/vat-rates
VAT rules are complex. We save you time, ensure accuracy, and help you avoid late fees or penalties while giving you peace of mind.
Returns must be filed and VAT payments submitted by the 19th of the month after the period end, or the 23rd when submitted through ROS. Most businesses must file every two months, though some file quarterly or on other schedules.
Errors below a certain threshold can be corrected in a subsequent VAT return. More significant errors may require an unprompted qualifying disclosure to Revenue. Early advice from a qualified accountant can reduce the risk of penalties significantly.
Yes. We can take over your VAT return service at any point during the year. We review previous returns, confirm the VAT position to date, and take responsibility for all upcoming filings from the point of engagement.
Contact our team, share your sales and purchase records along with company details, and we’ll quickly set up and manage your VAT returns.
