Revenue links 30,000 names with non-resident accounts

The Revenue Commissioners has identified 13,500 non-resident accounts with Irish addresses, it announced today.

In all approximately 30,000 names have been associated with the accounts, Revenue said in a statement, adding letters would be sent to the individuals requiring payment of any underpaid tax, penalties and interest by December 17th.

"People who receive this letter should supply full details, with payment, to their tax office in the 60-day period allowed. The sooner people face up to this the better," said Revenue Chairman Mr Frank Daly.

"The interest clock is ticking and if bogus account holders foolishly chose to keep their heads down instead of responding within the sixty-day period they face the very real prospect of investigation with a view to prosecution."

He added: "Information under High Court orders will continue to come into Revenue over the next few months."

A list of the names involved in cases, where settlement exceeds €12,700, will be published.

The list was compiled by Revenue arising from information supplied by financial institutions under High Court orders.

Last month the annual report of the Comptroller and Auditor General said a substantial amount of tax has been inappropriately written off by the Revenue Commissioners because of weaknesses in its collection system.

The report said it was concerned that some individuals were employing a "hide and frustrate" approach to tax liability. A number of cases had been found to involve the use of private limited companies and individuals who had systematically evaded tax for some time.

It said there needed to be closer co-operation between the Revenue and the Companies Registration Office.