Tax Clearance Certificates

A Tax Clearance Certificate is confirmation that your tax affairs are correct and up to date.

You may need a Tax Clearance Certificate:

• To apply for certain schemes or licences
• If you get certain public sector payments
• If you an office holder under Standards in Public Office laws

You can apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate from Revenue.

When do I need a Tax Clearance Certificate?

You need a Tax Clearance Certificate to apply for some schemes and licences, including the:

• Wage Subsidy Scheme for people with disabilities
• Charities VAT Compensation Scheme
• Small Public Service Vehicle Licence

You also need a Tax Clearance Certificate if you get more than €10,000 in a year in:

• Grants, subsidies or similar payments from public sector bodies
• Payments from a public sector contract (inclusive of Value Added Tax)

• Members of the Oireachtas
• Senior public officials
• Candidates for judicial appointments

How to apply

Make sure that all of your tax affairs are fully up to date before you apply. Revenue may issue a Tax Clearance Certificate where there are tax arrears if you have agreed an instalment arrangement to pay the arrears.

Revenue will also check your relevant connected parties. These include your properties and any business partnerships that you are a member of.

You can apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate online using the electronic Tax Clearance (eTC) system.

You can access the eTC in:

• myAccount – click 'Tax Clearance' on the 'Manage My Record' card
• Revenue Online Service (ROS) – click ‘Manage Tax Clearance’ in the ‘My Services’ section

If you cannot apply online, you can apply for a Tax Clearance Certificate by completing Form TC1 (pdf) and sending the form to the Customer Services Unit, Collector-General's Division.

If your application is refused, or you have a Tax Clearance Certificate withdrawn, you can appeal the decision within 30 days. The refusal or withdrawal letter that you get will list any tax or duty you owe. You must pay this before you make an appeal, unless the tax or duty is being disputed or appealed.