What is the SURE Scheme Ireland?

The SURE scheme Ireland is a government-backed initiative designed to encourage new business creation by offering an income tax refund SURE Ireland to eligible individuals. If you have paid taxable PAYE employment SURE scheme contributions in the previous four years and now invest in a new company, you may claim tax relief of up to SURE refund rate up to 50%, with a SURE refund lifetime limit €980,000.

Who Can Qualify?

To meet the SURE eligibility criteria Ireland, you must:

• Have had PAYE income SURE eligibility prior to establishing your business.
• Must invest cash in new shares SURE in a qualifying company.
• Become a full-time director or employee SURE in the company.
• Hold those shares for at least four years (hold shares 4 years SURE requirement).
• The business must operate as a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland, not just a passive investment.

Who Can Qualify?

To meet the SURE eligibility criteria Ireland, you must:

• Have had PAYE income SURE eligibility prior to establishing your business.
• Must invest cash in new shares SURE in a qualifying company.
• Become a full-time director or employee SURE in the company.
• Hold those shares for at least four years (hold shares 4 years SURE requirement).
• The business must operate as a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland, not just a passive investment.

The company must be a new company required for SURE, set up specifically for trading and not the acquisition of an existing business. This ensures your business meets the initial risk finance SURE rate criteria necessary for the tax refund.

How Much Can You Claim?

The scheme offers a SURE refund rate up to 50% of the capital you invest. Depending on your income tax paid in previous years, a SURE refund rate 35% trading is also possible, depending on the nature of the trade and the year of claim.

You can also carry forward your SURE refund 7 years, meaning if your tax liability isn’t sufficient to absorb the full relief in one year, you won’t lose out.

SURE vs SCI Relief Ireland

While both SURE and SCI offer tax incentives for entrepreneurs, the SURE vs SCI relief Ireland comparison reveals key differences. SURE is focused on start-up directors or employees investing in their own businesses, whereas SCI is often broader in its investment scope.

What’s New in Budget 2025?

Changes Budget 2025 start-up relief proposals aim to simplify the process, possibly expanding the definition of a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland and updating the initial risk finance SURE rate. Stay tuned for updates as these reforms could widen access and increase refund values.

Book an Appointment to See If You Qualify

Curious about whether your venture meets the SURE eligibility criteria Ireland? Book a consultation to assess your potential SURE refund rate and learn how to maximise your income tax refund SURE Ireland under the current guidelines.

What is the SURE Scheme Ireland?

SURE (Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs Ireland) is a generous tax relief programme that allows eligible individuals to claim an income tax refund SURE Ireland based on tax paid in previous PAYE employment. If you’re launching a start-up trading SME SURE, and meet specific SURE eligibility criteria Ireland, you may qualify for a refund of income tax you paid in up to the last four years.

This SURE scheme Ireland incentive is ideal for PAYE workers transitioning into entrepreneurship. To benefit, you must invest cash in new shares SURE, become a full-time director or employee SURE, and ensure your business operates within a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland. If these conditions are met, you could receive a refund at a SURE refund rate up to 50%, with a SURE refund lifetime limit €980,000.

Who Can Apply for the SURE Scheme Ireland?

You may qualify for the Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs Ireland (SURE scheme Ireland) if you fall into one of the following categories:

• An employee: You were previously earning PAYE income SURE eligibility and are now leaving your job to start a start-up trading SME SURE.
• An unemployed person: Even if you’re currently out of work, you may still qualify—especially if you meet the SURE eligibility criteria Ireland and plan to invest cash in new shares SURE in your own company.
• A person who has recently lost their job: If you’ve recently left a taxable PAYE employment SURE scheme, you’re potentially eligible to claim a significant income tax refund SURE Ireland, depending on your previous income tax contributions.

Each of these scenarios must align with other requirements like setting up a new company required for SURE, becoming a full-time director or employee SURE, and participating in a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland.

General SURE Eligibility Criteria in Ireland

To qualify for the SURE scheme Ireland, applicants must meet specific conditions. These SURE eligibility criteria Ireland ensure that the relief is targeted toward genuine start-up founders committed to growing new businesses. The main requirements include:

• New Company Formation: You must establish a new company required for SURE that engages in a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland. The business should involve a genuine commercial activity and not be formed to take over an existing trade.
• PAYE Income Background: In the previous four years, your main source of income must have been from taxable PAYE employment SURE scheme. This condition ensures that you’re transitioning from employment into entrepreneurship.
• Investment in New Shares: You must invest cash in new shares SURE issued by your newly formed company. This capital investment is essential for unlocking your income tax refund SURE Ireland.
• Full-Time Role in the Business: You are required to take on full-time director or employee SURE status in the business. Additionally, you must hold shares 4 years SURE requirement to retain eligibility for the tax relief.

By meeting these conditions, you may qualify for a SURE refund rate up to 50%, with the possibility of claiming back income tax paid over the previous four years, up to the SURE refund lifetime limit €980,000.

How Much of a SURE Refund Can You Claim?

The SURE refund rate up to 50% means you could potentially reclaim half of the capital you invest in your new business—depending on your individual tax history. The amount of your income tax refund SURE Ireland is calculated based on:

• Your gross PAYE income over the last four years
• The amount of income tax paid during that period
• Any tax credits you were entitled to
• The size of your investment in new shares SURE
• Whether your business qualifies under a qualifying trade for SURE Ireland

Depending on these factors, your SURE refund rate 35% trading might apply if your income or tax paid was lower, while others may qualify for the maximum refund under the SURE refund lifetime limit €980,000.

Need Help Calculating Your Refund?

Understanding the full value of your SURE scheme Ireland entitlement can be complex. That’s where we come in.

We can help you assess your SURE eligibility criteria Ireland, determine your refund potential, and handle the paperwork—so you can focus on growing your start-up trading SME SURE.

📞 Contact us today for a quote on our accountancy consultancy services and find out how much your refund could be worth.

Get Expert Guidance on the SURE Scheme Ireland

Not sure where to begin with the Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs Ireland? We’re here to help.

Please feel free to contact us—our team of experts is ready to guide you through the process of claiming your income tax refund SURE Ireland and understanding the SURE eligibility criteria Ireland specific to your situation.

Whether you’re unsure about the SURE refund rate up to 50%, have questions about qualifying trade for SURE Ireland, or need clarity on whether your business qualifies as a start-up trading SME SURE, we’ll provide tailored advice.

Speak with one of our team members to get personalised assistance. We’ll help you select the most suitable services, including business setup, share structure planning, and PAYE income SURE eligibility verification.

With our comprehensive consultancy services, we’ll ensure your new company meets all the SURE scheme Ireland requirements—so you can maximise your refund and launch your business with confidence.