Exchequer returns April 2026
Commenting on today’s Exchequer figures for April, Orla Gavin, Head of Tax at KPMG, says:
“Income tax receipts were strong in April, reaching €3.67 billion, an increase of 4.8% compared with April last year, pointing to continued resilience in the Irish labour market. Overall receipts year to date are now 4.2% ahead of the same period in 2025, driven predominantly by strong employment. This all highlights the contribution of our employment base to Exchequer tax receipts and the importance of protecting and growing jobs in the Irish economy.
While €564 million in corporation tax was collected in April this year, it is traditionally a quiet month for receipts. Attention now turns to May and June, which are critical for assessing underlying corporation tax performance. Although tax receipts to date have been strong, corporation tax performance over the coming months will be pivotal, particularly against the backdrop of supply chain disruption and energy price volatility arising from the Middle East crisis.
In its latest Stability Programme Update, the Government revised projected tax receipts upward by €1.6 billion compared with October, reflecting confidence in the economy’s capacity to generate €110 billion in tax revenues this year. As the revised budget projections for 2026 will incorporate additional cost support measures for domestic business, safeguarding employment and sustaining the tax base will be key throughout 2026.
Looking ahead, bolstering Ireland’s competitiveness and prioritising capital spend on critical infrastructure will be essential to sustaining and broadening the tax base, especially as pressures on the Exchequer appear set to increase amid heightened economic uncertainty.”
