Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
269. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the steps that are being taken to ensure a level playing field in relation to the hair and beauty service industry and the vast numbers of people working for cash from their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Revenue that tax compliance programmes are kept under constant review to ensure that they are focused on the areas of greatest risk, including risks from the shadow economy. Challenging shadow economy activity and actively restricting opportunities for deliberate tax and duty evasion continues to be an organisational priority for Revenue. Since 2021, a sectoral shadow economy project has been in operation, targeting outdoor visits and customer contacts across a range of business sectors including the hair and beauty service industry mentioned by the Deputy.
In order to get a clear understanding of issues facing the industry, Revenue officers met with representatives from the Irish Hair and Beauty Confederation (HABIC) in June 2022 and with representatives from the Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) in June 2024. Specific shadow economy risks for the sector have been identified, utilising all available data and intelligence including returns submitted by taxpayers and third parties, Tax Evasion Reports, social media and other sources. Revenue officers also meet regularly with representative from other State agencies such as the Workplace Relations Commission and the Department of Social Protection, using agreed frameworks to share information on the shadow economy and identify opportunities for collaboration and joint operations.
During the period 2022 to 2024, Revenue has advised me that it completed 792 compliance interventions in addition to 590 appraisals in the hair and beauty sector, generating total yield of €609,421.
Revenue urges businesses in the hair and beauty sector and members of the public to report suspicions of tax and duty evasion to Revenue using one of several channels, such as a Tax Evasion (Shadow Economy Activity) Report Form which can be found on the Revenue website at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/using-revenue/index.aspx. All reports are treated as confidential.
