Ireland · Registering for tax
How to register for tax when you start work in Ireland
When you start your first job in Ireland, register it with Revenue through myAccount so your employer can tax you correctly. Without this you pay emergency tax. You'll need your PPS number first.
How it works
In Ireland your employer takes income tax, USC and PRSI from your pay. To deduct the right amount, your employer gets your tax details (a Revenue Payroll Notification, or RPN) from Revenue, the tax office.
Revenue can only send them if:
- you have a PPS number, and your employer has it, and
- you've registered your job with Revenue.
If either is missing, you pay emergency tax, which is a lot higher. You get the extra back once you're registered, but it's better to avoid it.
Before you start
You'll need:
- Your PPS number.
- Your employer's name and registered number (ask your employer or look on your contract or payslip).
- Your job start date.
- Your email address and phone number, for myAccount.
Steps
- Get your PPS number if you don't have one yet (see the PPS number guide). Give it to your employer.
- Register for myAccount on revenue.ie with your PPS number. Complete the identity checks Revenue asks for: depending on your details this can be an email, a code by text message, or a code posted to your address.
- Register your job: in myAccount, go to PAYE Services and choose "Add Job or Pension Details". Enter your employer's details and your start date.
- Check your tax credits: within about two working days you can see your Tax Credit Certificate under "Manage your tax". Claim any extra credits you're entitled to, for example rent or flat-rate expenses.
- Check your first payslips. If you were taxed on the emergency basis, it's usually corrected automatically in a later pay packet once your job is registered.
Cost
Free.
Common pitfalls
- Waiting for your first payslip. Register your job as soon as you know your start date, so your employer gets your details before your first pay day.
- Codes sent to an old address or phone. Make sure Revenue has your current details before you register.
- Two jobs. Register each one, and choose how your tax credits are split between them.
- Leaving Ireland. If you leave during the year, you may be able to claim back tax at the end of the year.
When to ask a helper
If you're still on emergency tax after registering, work for a foreign employer, or have income in two countries, ask someone who's been through it, and consider an adviser for complex cases.
Spot a mistake?
Rules change and offices differ. If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll check it.