Navigating Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) with Confidence
Receiving an inheritance or a substantial family gift should bring peace of mind, not a surprise tax headache. At TAS Consulting, we help families across Ireland navigate CAT thresholds, reduce liabilities, and handle Revenue filings smoothly without the confusing legal jargon.
Understanding Capital Acquisitions Tax in Ireland
In Ireland, Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is charged at a flat rate of 33% on gifts and inheritances that exceed certain tax-free thresholds. The exact amount you can receive tax-free depends entirely on your relationship to the person giving the gift or inheritance (the disponer).
Because property and asset values have risen significantly over recent years, many families find themselves closer to these thresholds than they realize. Proactive estate and tax planning can make a massive difference in protecting what you pass on to the next generation.
Core Inheritance & Gift Tax Solutions
We work closely with beneficiaries and executors to structure asset transfers cleanly and file accurate returns with Irish Revenue:
IT38 Return Filing
Accurate preparation and submission of IT38 inheritance and gift tax returns via ROS, ensuring all past gifts within the group threshold are tracked.
Dwelling House Relief
Expert guidance on qualifying for Dwelling House Exemption to pass down a family home completely tax-free under strict Revenue rules.
Small Gift Exemption Planning
Structuring annual gifts of up to €3,000 per person from any number of donors completely free of CAT and without eating into your main group thresholds.
Agricultural & Business Relief
Helping farming families and business owners utilize Agricultural Relief (90%) and Business Relief to pass down active assets securely.
Discretionary Trust Tax Advice
Managing the complex 6% initial charge and annual 1% tax applicable to discretionary trusts holding family wealth and property assets.
Parent-Child Property Transfers
Advising on the tax implications of transferring rental properties, commercial spaces, or land parcels between generations.
Executor & Administrator Support
Assisting estate representatives with tax clearance certificates and ensuring all liabilities are satisfied prior to final estate distribution.
Revenue Audit & Valuation Defense
Professional handling of Revenue queries regarding asset valuations, probate values, and historical gift tracking.
Specialist Inheritance Tax Solutions
Explore our dedicated planning strategies built to safeguard your family's estate from unexpected tax burdens.
Lifetime Gift Structuring
Strategic planning to distribute assets gradually during your lifetime to make maximum use of rising annual thresholds.
Section 72 Policy Planning
Guidance on qualifying life insurance policies designed specifically to cover future CAT liabilities tax-free.
Section 73 Savings Plans
Setting up dedicated investment arrangements to accumulate funds for business or inheritance tax payments.
Inheritance Tax Mitigation
Comprehensive reviews of family assets to identify opportunities for reducing exposure to the 33% CAT rate.
Estate Valuation Advisory
Ensuring accurate market valuations for properties, shares, and valuables as of the exact date of inheritance.
Agricultural Relief Reviews
Verifying farmer status, stock tests, and asset holding periods to secure 90% agricultural property relief.
Business Relief Structuring
Assessing trading companies and sole trader assets to qualify for valuable Business Property Relief.
Family Partnership Setup
Organizing family business partnerships to facilitate gradual, tax-efficient transfer of management and equity.
Retroactive CAT Reviews
Checking past inheritance filings to ensure all historic reliefs and exemptions were properly claimed.
Key Irish Revenue CAT Deadlines
Missing inheritance tax filing windows triggers automatic penalties and interest. We manage these dates so your estate remains fully compliant.
Annual Return & Payment
If the valuation date falls between 1 September and 31 August of the previous year, the return and tax are due by 31 October.
Extended ROS Deadline
Filing and paying electronically via the Revenue Online Service (ROS) often grants an extended deadline into mid-November.
Discretionary Trust Tax
Annual 1% tax and periodic charges on discretionary trusts must be calculated and settled by 30 June each year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current tax-free inheritance threshold for children in Ireland?
The Group A threshold—which applies to gifts or inheritances received by a child from their parent—is currently €335,000. Any amount received above this cumulative lifetime threshold is taxed at a flat rate of 33%.
Do I have to pay inheritance tax on a family home?
Not necessarily. Under the Dwelling House Exemption, a child or relative may inherit a family home completely free of CAT, provided they meet strict residency, ownership, and income criteria set out by Irish Revenue.
What is the small gift exemption and how does it work?
You can receive up to €3,000 per calendar year from any individual completely tax-free. Crucially, this does not count against your main group threshold (€335,000 / €32,500 / €16,250), making it a brilliant tool for gradual lifetime wealth transfer.
When does the 33% CAT payment become due to Revenue?
CAT returns and payments are generally due by 31 October in the year following the valuation date (the date the beneficiary becomes legally entitled to the asset), with extended deadlines available when filing through ROS.
Latest Inheritance Tax Insights & Updates
Practical articles and expert guides on CAT thresholds, property reliefs, and estate planning in Ireland.
A Plain-English Guide to Irish Inheritance Tax Thresholds
How Group A, B, and C categories work, and how previous gifts impact your remaining tax-free limit.
Qualifying for the Dwelling House Exemption in Ireland
Key conditions beneficiaries must satisfy to inherit the family home without incurring a 33% tax bill.
Using the €3,000 Small Gift Exemption Effectively
Smart strategies for parents and grandparents to pass down wealth annually without triggering CAT filings.
Section 72 Policies: Insuring Against Inheritance Tax
How qualifying life insurance policies can be structured to pay your family's future CAT liabilities automatically.
Contact Us
Office Address
Unit 80, Cherry Orchard Business Park, D10NX96, Dublin 10, Ireland
Working Hours
Monday to Friday: 0800 hours – 1700 hours
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Email or Call Us
Email: moh@tasconsulting.ie
Mobile: +353 85 1477625