Author Archives: Colin Comerford

Returning to Ireland and Starting a Business

Coming home

Are you returning to Ireland and starting a business? I met Tom this week, who has done that. Back from Canada after spending over 10 years there. Back to help build the country. Driving along the highway in Toronto, he saw a billboard that grabbed his attention. “You have helped build Toronto. Come home and

My Bookkeeper is Leaving. Help

worried woman

My bookkeeper is leaving. Help. You are in a spot of bother. Your bookkeeper is leaving. Moving to another job or retiring. It doesn’t matter. You won’t have the benefit of their services very soon, and you don’t know what to do. I am writing this as a real-life example of what happened to our

Power of Revocation and Taxes

Luxurious Dublin apartment

This is a short blog about the power of revocation and the taxes involved. In simple terms, think of gifting someone an asset but having the power to cancel or withdraw that gift. The idea came from some training I did with Omnipro during the week. It was interesting because it highlighted the cost of

Pre-Year-End Tax Planning Tips

Great idea

I’ll bring you through a few pre-year-end tax planning tips. I was going to call this blog “A few bob for Christmas”, but I put that into Google, and various “bob” hairdos came up. However, the idea behind this is to either pay yourselves a few bob or save a few bob. Let’s look at

Protecting Our Clients

Protection from the rain

I am writing this “protecting our clients” blog on the back of getting a very welcome letter from Revenue. Is there such a thing, I hear you ask! Well, yes, in this case. A client had a level 2 VAT compliance review that started a year ago. No extra tax, interest, or penalties. And a

Should I Defer My State Pension?

Old man counting his money

Should I defer my state pension? In some cases, absolutely not, but in other cases, it makes sense. A client asked me this question recently, and my answer was certain. No way, you need to get your state pension at 66. Another client wanted to delay receiving his. That was more for personal reasons, which

5 Last-Minute Tax Saving Tips

Man with money

These are 5 last-minute tax savings tips to help you pay less and keep on the right side of Revenue. If Revenue owe you money, you have to assume they’ll look for proof before you get it back. That means getting your numbers right and having the paperwork as evidence. I’ll look at the five

Backdating a Pension Contribution

Happy older retired couple

Backdating a pension contribution means paying it this year but claiming it last year. I’ll look at how much you can put in, what tax relief you’ll get, and the important timelines. Plus a few other tips along the way. Let’s look at Why a Pension How much can you put in Tax relief Timelines

Tax Returns for Company Directors

Tax return worries

Tax returns for company directors need an extra touch of love and affection. To use a Top Gun analogy, multiple bogeys are heading in your direction. I’ll look at some of these bogeys and other quirks for company directors’ Income Tax returns. By company directors, I am talking about owner directors who own 15% or

Director’s Current Account

Company Director - Business lady

This week, I’ll look at a director’s current account and try to explain what it is and how it works. Looking at some of the advantages and pitfalls, so you’ll know what you can do and what’s best to avoid. The main focus will be on What is a Director’s Current Account Enda owes his