Services / Tax Planning

Pay less tax. Legally.
Plan ahead with Finlay Mulligan.

Most Irish businesses overpay tax because they do not plan ahead. Our chartered accountants identify every legitimate relief, structure your income correctly, and make sure you never pay more than you have to.

Tax planning areas we cover

Comprehensive tax advice across personal, corporate, and transactional tax — tailored to your situation.

Income Tax Planning

Structure salary, dividends, and expenses to minimise personal income tax for directors and sole traders.

Corporation Tax Planning

R&D tax credits, capital allowances, and loss relief strategies to reduce your company tax bill.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

Planning for asset disposals, business sales, and property transactions to minimise CGT exposure.

Entrepreneur Relief

Qualifying for the 10% CGT rate on the sale of a business — planning ahead is essential.

Retirement Planning

Executive pension contributions and Directors pension structures for tax-efficient retirement savings.

Succession & Exit Planning

Business transfers, gift tax planning, and retirement from business with maximum tax efficiency.

Property Tax Planning

Rental income structuring, PRSA contributions, and capital allowances for property investors.

R&D Tax Credits

Claiming R&D credits for qualifying Irish companies. We assess eligibility and manage the claim.

Why tax planning matters

33%

Standard CGT rate in Ireland

Reduced to 10% with proper Entrepreneur Relief planning

€1.5m

Entrepreneur Relief lifetime limit

CGT reduced from 33% to 10% on qualifying business disposals — planning ahead is essential

EUR 3,000

Tax-free annual gift exemption

Individuals can gift up to EUR 3,000 per recipient per year tax-free

Tax Planning FAQs

When should I start tax planning?

Tax planning is most effective before transactions happen — before you sell a business, take on a major contract, or draw income. We recommend a planning review at least once per year, typically aligned with your year-end.

What is Entrepreneur Relief in Ireland?

Entrepreneur Relief reduces CGT on the disposal of qualifying business assets from 33% to 10%, up to a lifetime limit of EUR 1 million in gains. Planning ahead — particularly around share structure — is essential to qualify.

Can I reduce my income tax as a company director?

Yes. Directors have flexibility around salary and dividend mix, pension contributions, and certain expenses. The optimal structure depends on your personal circumstances, spouse income, and company profitability.

What are R&D tax credits and do I qualify?

R&D tax credits allow Irish companies to claim a percentage of qualifying R&D expenditure against corporation tax — the rate is set by budget each year. Technology companies, engineering firms, and innovative SMEs commonly qualify. We assess eligibility and handle the claim.

Is this the same as tax avoidance?

No. Tax planning means using reliefs, exemptions, and structures that Revenue intends to be used — lawfully reducing your tax liability. Tax avoidance involves artificial arrangements that breach the spirit of the law. We only advise on legitimate planning.

Book a tax planning review

Tell us about your business and personal tax situation. We will identify where you are overpaying and what to do about it.

We respond to all enquiries within 4 business hours, Mon–Fri.