The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, has officially announced a revised start date for the My Future Fund, Ireland’s new national auto-enrolment retirement savings scheme. Originally set for 30 September 2025, the collection of contributions will now begin on 1 January 2026. This adjustment is designed to align the scheme with the standard tax year, helping to simplify implementation for employers, payroll providers and employees. By doing so, businesses will have additional time to prepare and ensure their systems are compliant and ready for launch. Why the Change? The deferral allows payroll software providers to deliver updates as part of their regular annual tax year release, ensuring smoother integration and minimising disruption. Employers, in turn, gain more time to adapt their payroll processes without facing a mid-year change. Preparing for Launch The Department of Social Protection is working closely with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Payroll Software Developers Association (PSDA) to finalise the scheme’s systems. Development, integration, and testing efforts are currently ongoing to support a smooth rollout. Meanwhile, the National Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings Authority (NAERSA) is expected to begin eligibility assessments prior to the January start. This step ensures that the infrastructure is ready, and that eligible employees can begin saving from Day 1. Who Will Be Affected? Over 800,000 employees are anticipated to begin participating in My Future Fund, marking a significant step forward in improving retirement readiness across Ireland. Employers are reminded that they are not required to collect contributions before 1 January 2026, but should begin preparing now. Communication Strategy A three-phase communications strategy is set to launch over the summer, aiming to raise awareness among employees, employers, and the wider public. This campaign will provide guidance on how the scheme works and what stakeholders need to do to prepare. Is Your Business Ready for My Future Fund? Keep up to date with all the upcoming changes and informed of future developments in relation to My Future Fund and other important tax and payroll updates by signing up to our mailing list. If you have any current payroll requirements, our specialists are here to help. Contact our team today to discuss outsourcing your payroll function.

The gender pay gap is the difference in the average hourly wage between men and women across an organisation’s workforce. In Ireland, the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 requires organisations to report on their hourly gender pay gap across a number of key metrics. This reporting aims to increase transparency and encourage meaningful action toward workplace equality. Who Must Report Since the introduction of the legislation, the thresholds for mandatory gender pay gap reporting have evolved: 2022 : Organisations with 250 or more employees  were required to report. 2024 : The threshold lowered to organisations with 150 or more employees . 2025 : For the first time, organisations with 50 or more employees  must report on their gender pay gap. If your organisation now meets the 50-employee threshold, it’s essential to understand your obligations under the law.. Where to Find the Regulations The full legal framework and calculation details are set out in the following regulations: The Employment Equality Act 1998 (section 20A)(Gender Pay Gap Information) Regulations 2022 The Employment Equality Act 1998 (section 20A)(Gender Pay Gap Information)(Amendment) Regulations 2024 The Employment Equality Act 1998 (section 20A) (Gender Pay Gap Information) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 These regulations clarify how the calculations must be made, the reference periods, and the reporting deadlines. The expansion of gender pay gap reporting to organisations with over 50 employees marks a significant step toward greater workplace equality in Ireland. For employers, it’s not just a compliance issue - it’s an opportunity to reflect on your culture, policies, and progress toward inclusion. Connect with our team of experts - we will keep you informed and help ensure you’re fully prepared for the changes and reporting regulations. Source: gov.ie

As everyone knows, we are living in uncertain times. Geopolitical tensions and the climate crisis are creating challenging economic circumstances. Pandemic lockdowns are still an all-too-recent memory. Accountants may never be portrayed as caped superheroes or white knights on horseback, but make no mistake, our evolving skills are needed now more than ever. In these difficult moments, our clients look to us to go beyond the everyday technicalities of tax, annual reporting and audit (important though they are). As trusted advisors, clients need UHY member firm guidance to help them meet the challenges of a new and unpredictable era. Helping create a more sustainable world What might those challenges be? Most obviously, businesses worldwide are prioritising sustainability, as customers, employees, investors and regulators demand they do more to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Sustainability reporting is becoming an increasingly integral part of the annual reporting cycle, and businesses are looking to accountants to help them gather and present the evidence in a clear and insightful way. More UHY member firms around the world are meeting this need, by offering environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure and compliance services alongside more traditional financial reporting. In doing so, they are becoming trusted business advisors to their clients as well as technical accountants and tax advisors. Not only are many UHY firms delivering non-financial reporting, but they are also adding value by scanning the regulatory landscape and keeping abreast of a rapidly evolving ESG environment, so their clients can focus on other things.   Clearing the path to cross-border success In a globalised world, businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions are facing new challenges around compliance and regulation that go beyond sustainability and ESG. They include contrasting cross-border tax treatments and a shifting backdrop of trade tariffs and sanctions.  Again, accountants offer a much-valued service in an increasingly complex world. The need for expertise in international tax laws, transfer pricing and cross border financial regulations is growing. Accountancy firms that offer this expertise will always be in great demand. Staying on the right side of local laws and regulations is essential in every jurisdiction that a business operates in. Non-compliant businesses face both financial penalties and the possibility of serious reputational damage. As governments and financial bodies worldwide introduce ever-more stringent accounting and tax regulations, accountants need to be able to offer specialised compliance and risk management services, helping companies navigate complex regulatory landscapes. In this, UHY is well placed to support clients in their ambitions. One benefit of UHY’s global network is its combination of local knowledge and international outlook. Member firms work together to help clients remain compliant across national and continental borders. The promise of technology Accountancy is an increasingly digital business, with forward-looking firms embracing technologies such as automation, AI and blockchain to reduce manual tasks and increase efficiency.  In our own network, firms are taking this one step further, and offering technology advisory services to clients that add strategic value beyond traditional accounting services. For example, while every business wants to adopt AI to some degree or other, many are not sure how it can be moulded to the needs of their organisation. Accountants with the necessary experience can step in to fill the gap. This is an era ripe with risk but also with opportunity. For our clients, accountants offer the path to safer, more sustainable and more compliant business. We reduce their risk, and our wide experience can guide their cross-border operations and help them adopt technology securely and efficiently. We may not be superheroes, but we do have the right skills at the right time. CEO of UHY International, Rhys Madoc

HELP TO BUY (HTB) INCENTIVE The HTB incentive has been introduced in Finance Act 2016 to assist first-time buyers with obtaining the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new house or apartment, which they wish to live in as their home. One of the conditions of this relief is that the contract for the purchase or self-build is entered into with a “qualifying contractor”. Where qualifying residences are being sold, purchasers who have applied for the HTB scheme may only wish to enter into contracts with a qualifying contractor where they are relying on the HTB scheme to purchase the residence. Where you are building qualifying residences, obtaining qualifying contractor status in advance can assist in ensuring contracts can be entered into with HTB applicants in respect of those properties. Read our Contractors FAQs Download for further information. We can help get you registered as a relevant contractor for the HTB scheme so that you are ready to enter into contracts with HTB claimants on properties you are developing. Contact our Tax Team now if you wish to discuss this further #2017

HELP TO BUY (HTB) INCENTIVE – First Time Buyers The HTB incentive has been introduced in Finance Act 2016 to assist first-time buyers with obtaining the deposit required to purchase or self-build a new house or apartment, which they wish to live in as their home. One of the conditions of this relief is that the contract for the purchase or self-build is entered into with a “qualifying contractor”. Where qualifying residences are being sold, purchasers who have applied for the HTB scheme may only wish to enter into contracts with a qualifying contractor where they are relying on the HTB scheme to purchase the residence. Where you are building qualifying residences, obtaining qualifying contractor status in advance can assist in ensuring contracts can be entered into with HTB applicants in respect of those properties. Read our Individuals FAQs Download for further information. Contact our Tax Team now if you wish to discuss this further #2017

Maintaining public trust and ensuring the effective use of resources are essential for every charitable organisation. In the Irish charity sector the directors are volunteers who dedicate their private time and expertise without being involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation. They carry significant governance responsibilities, often relying on reports and summaries from the management team without having first-hand visibility into the charity's operations. Additionally, The Charities Governance Code, outlines the minimum standards for good governance in Irish charities. One of the six core principles of this code is "Being Accountable and Transparent." Internal audit supports this principle by providing an independent and objective assessment of a charity's internal controls, risk management processes, and governance structures.  It will also validate the information provided to directors and highlight any potential issues that might not be immediately apparent. Internal audit can: Identify weaknesses in internal controls : This helps prevent fraud, errors, and inefficiencies in financial and operational processes. Ensure compliance with policies and regulations:  Charities in Ireland must adhere to various legal and regulatory requirements. Internal audit can assess the charity's compliance with all relevant legislation. Evaluate the effectiveness of risk management:  Charities face diverse risks, including financial, operational, and reputational. Internal audit helps identify and assess these risks and recommends strategies to mitigate them effectively. This could involve reviewing the charity's risk register and evaluating the adequacy of its risk mitigation plans.   Promote transparency and accountability: By providing objective reports to the board of directors or a designated audit committee, internal audit enhances transparency and ensures that management is held accountable for the effective management of the charity's resources. Identify opportunities for process improvement : Internal auditors can analyse existing processes and recommend ways to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. Ensure the reliability of financial reporting : While external audits focus on the fair presentation of financial statements, internal audit plays a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the underlying financial data and reporting processes. This includes reviewing accounting policies and procedures and testing financial transactions. In essence, internal audit can act as a vital link for voluntary directors, providing them with the independent insights and assurance they need to confidently oversee the charity and ensure that it is operating ethically, efficiently, and in line with its mission. It empowers them to make informed decisions and uphold their responsibilities effectively, even without direct involvement in daily operations. Smaller charities with limited internal knowledge base may benefit from engaging external internal audit consultants to conduct periodic internal audits. By doing this they gain access to specialised expertise without the cost of a full-time internal audit function.   In summary engaging internal audit function, offers significant benefits that contribute to good governance, accountability, and, ultimately, the successful delivery of a charity's mission. Should you require any advice on internal audit services, please get in touch with a member of our team. Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice.

One of fundamental aspects of good governance is establishing and maintaining a robust risk management process. Risk management means more than just keeping a risk register; it means continuous effort that includes analysing risks and taking mitigating actions in order to reduce the likelihood of their occurring, as well as proactively identifying emerging threats. Charities in Ireland face diverse risks that can impact their ability to achieve their charitable objectives, maintain their reputation, and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. An effective risk management process typically involves the following stages: 1. Risk Identification: Understand the charity's objectives, activities, stakeholders, and the internal and external environment. Involve all relevant stakeholders in identifying potential risks across all areas of the charity's operations. Consider various categories of risk, including: Governance Risks Strategic Risks Compliance Risks Operational Risks Financial Risks Environmental Risks Reputational Risks Document all identified risks in a risk register. This register should include a clear description of each risk, including potential causes and consequences. 2. Risk Assessment: Determine the likelihood of each identified risk and its possible impact. Based on the assessment of likelihood and impact, prioritise risks to determine which require the most urgent attention. Risks with a high likelihood and high impact should be prioritised. 3. Risk Treatment: Develop strategies to reduce the likelihood of the risk occurring or minimise its potential impact. Clearly assign responsibility for implementing and monitoring each risk treatment to specific individuals or teams within the charity. Set realistic timelines for implementing risk mitigation actions. 4. Risk Monitoring and Review: Continuously monitor the identified risks and the effectiveness of mitigation strategies. This should be a standing item on the agenda for board meetings. Periodically review the overall risk management process. This assessment should include reassessing risks, determining the effectiveness of controls, and detecting any new or developing risks. Regularly report on key risks and risk management effectiveness to the board of trustees. Effective risk management protects the charity’s assets, ensures compliance and it is a crucial component of strong governance. It supports decision making by providing trustees with a clear understanding of potential threats and opportunities. Effective risk management demonstrates to stakeholders that the charity is well managed and accountable. Should you require any advice on charity services, please get in touch with a member of our team.

The Irish Government’s long-anticipated auto-enrolment pension scheme  has encountered another delay. Government confirmed it will be delayed by “a small number of months” beyond the planned September 2025 rollout. Minister for Finance Jack Chambers has stated that the deferral is due to the significant administrative   and operational demands associated with implementing the scheme, as well as the need to align its launch with other policy initiatives currently in development. While the delay is expected to be marginal, the Government has yet to provide a revised implementation date. Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary is expected to provide an update with a revised roadmap in the coming weeks. Reasons Behind the Delay The auto-enrolment scheme represents a significant shift in how retirement savings are structured in Ireland, aiming to bring approximately 800,000 workers into a contributory pension framework for the first time. Minister Chambers described the delay as a consequence of the "enormous scale" of the initiative, noting that the successful launch of the scheme requires extensive   cross-departmental coordination, integration with other government priorities, and readiness across both public and private sectors. This is not the first time the scheme has been delayed. In October 2024, then-Minister Heather Humphreys announced an extension, referencing concerns raised by businesses about cost implications and operational readiness.   How Will the Scheme Work? When implemented, the auto-enrolment pension scheme will apply to employees who: Are aged 23 to 60 Earn more than €20,000 per year Are not already enrolled in an occupational pension scheme Eligible employees will be automatically enrolled, with contributions made by the employee, their employer, and the State. Contribution Structure: For every €3 contributed by the employee: The employer will match €3 The State will contribute an additional €1 This results in a total of €7 invested in the employee’s pension for every €3 they contribute themselves. Participation will be mandatory for the first six months, after which employees will have the option to opt out or pause contributions.   Implications for Employers For employers, it offers additional time to prepare for their administrative responsibilities, including payroll integration and employee communications.   What’s Next? Employers should stay closely aligned with policy developments and begin proactive internal planning. Key preparatory steps include: Assessing payroll systems to ensure they can support contribution processing Developing employee communication and education materials Budgeting for anticipated employer-matching contributions Further guidance is expected in the coming weeks, once Minister Calleary releases an updated timeline and implementation framework. While the official commencement date for the auto-enrolment scheme has yet to be confirmed, its rollout is imminent. Now is the time to act. Connect with our team of experts - we will keep you informed of the latest updates and help ensure you’re fully prepared for the changes ahead. Sources: thejournal.ie and rte.ie

Revenue is currently in the process of modernising its Direct Debit facility, and important changes are on the horizon for businesses and tax agents who manage VAT payments through the Fixed Direct Debit (FDD) scheme. What’s Changing? To align with standard industry practices and enhance the efficiency of VAT payments, Revenue will introduce a new Variable Direct Debit (VDD) facility in June 2025 . Once the VDD is in place, the Fixed Direct Debit option will no longer be offered and will be phased out gradually as customers transition to the new system. Background on the VDD System Revenue previously introduced the Variable Direct Debit facility in January 2019 for payments related to Employer Income Tax, PRSI, USC, and LPT as part of the PAYE Modernisation project. Since then, the majority of employers have successfully adopted this payment method. Now, the same approach is being extended to VAT. Key Differences Between Fixed and Variable Direct Debit Here are the main changes VAT-registered businesses should be aware of: Return Filing Frequency VAT return filing will shift from an annual return to a bi-monthly return schedule. Payment Structure Under the VDD facility, Revenue will debit the exact value of the VAT due from a customer’s bank account on the due date, rather than a fixed monthly amount. This ensures customers pay the correct tax amount on time, reducing the risk of late payment interest charges. Revenue will only debit amounts authorised through the creation of a new Variable Direct Debit mandate. What Action Is Required Now? No immediate action is required by you at this stage. Businesses should continue making their fixed monthly VAT payments   under the current scheme until otherwise advised. Revenue will be in touch with businesses on a phased basis ahead of their VAT period-end to provide instructions on transitioning to the new VDD facility. In Summary The Fixed Direct Debit scheme for VAT will cease in June 2025. A new Variable Direct Debit system will replace it, offering more accurate, timely tax payments. No changes are needed right now, but communication from Revenue will follow in due course. This change represents another step toward a more streamlined, modern tax system in Ireland.   If you would like help understanding the new VDD system or preparing for the transition please don’t hesitate to reach out to the UHY FDW team. Our team of experts is here to help you stay ahead of these changes.

The 19th edition of UHY Global magazine is now available to read online . With a vibrant new look based on UHY’s recent brand refresh, UHY Global draws on current analysis and commentary, including UHY’s member firm experts across the international network, to provide insight for today’s global business community. In this edition of UHY Global, you’ll find thought-provoking, insightful and absorbing articles on current business issues, exploring the challenges of international business, themes you may well be engaging with in this uncertain world. From our cover story on the consequences for trade of tariff-based policymaking to features on strategies for managing and protecting supply chains in the face of global disruption, to insights on how technology will help in combating business fraud. In our regional feature, our experts on the ground discuss the prospects for recovery in the eurozone. Our regular Cogs and Wheels section throws the spotlight on the importance of brand, including how UHY’s refreshed brand identity will help establish the network’s goals for its people and clients. We also include a client story from the Philippines, where UHY’s member firm is helping a rural bank to provide its vital financial services to customers, and empower micro, small and medium-sized businesses in its countryside community. We also feature our regular round-up of global news and a celebration of people and firms across our network, and valuable information on the UHY network itself including service and a members’ directory. The print version is downloadable as a PDF from the online menu bar.

Fraud costs online businesses billions of dollars every year, but new technology can identify criminal activity before the damage is done. We’re all doing more online these days, whether that means collaborating with remote colleagues on video calls or booking travel tickets with a smartphone app. E-commerce accounted for over 19% of global retail sales in 2023, and that figure is forecast to rise to 25% by 2027. Some regions will be significantly ahead of this global total. E-commerce, video calls and online banking are popular because they make life a little bit easier. Unfortunately, they also make life a little bit easier for criminals. According to Juniper Research , the total cost of e-commerce fraud to merchants around the world will exceed USD 48 billion in 2024. Cumulative merchant losses to online payment fraud could reach USD 362 billion between 2023 and 2028. These are eye-watering numbers, and the damage goes deeper still. Merchants can suffer serious reputational damage if their data is breached, often alongside a fi ne from the regulator. Consumers can have their lives turned upside down as they chase refunds or rush to cancel credit cards and close online accounts. Find more information in UHY International's Global Issue 19

A dedicated board of trustees is at the core of every successful charity, carrying out their duties to ensure the organisation operates effectively. Charity trustees are those who have control over and are legally responsible for managing a charity. They are entrusted with the organisation's assets, and their decisions immediately impact on the charity’s beneficiaries. Charity trustees must act in the best interests of the charity, making decisions that align with its mission and values. Their dedication and expertise are essential in helping the organisation reach its objectives. Recent legislation in the form of the Charities Amendment Act 2024 (“the Act”) provides further guidance on the key duties of charity trustees, providing greater clarity on their role in a charity. The following are the primary duties of trustees: Complying with the charity’s governing document and relevant legislation Charity trustees must act in accordance with the charity’s governing document and ensure that the charity complies with all applicable laws, including charity law, company law, health and safety legislation, data protection law, and employment law. They must also keep up with any changes in legislation. Ensuring the charity's objectives are met Trustees must ensure that the organisation is fulfilling its charitable purpose, which it was set up to achieve. They must ensure that the charity’s resources are used only to carry out its purposes. It is crucial for trustees to regularly review the charity's activities and finances to ensure alignment with its charitable objectives. Maintaining accountability and transparency Donors, recipients, and the general public are among the stakeholders that charities must be open and accountable to. This involves maintaining accurate records, preparing financial reports, and submitting annual returns to the Charities Regulator. Furthermore, charities should consider implementing internal controls and governance structures to promote transparency and accountability. This will help build trust with stakeholders and demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices. Managing the charity's resources responsibly Trustees are responsible for safeguarding the charity's assets and ensuring that they are used effectively and efficiently by developing and implementing sound financial policies, monitoring income and expenditure, and managing risks. They must put in place robust internal controls in order to guarantee that all of the charity's operations are carried out in a secure and compliant manner. By managing the charity's resources responsibly, trustees can ensure that donor funds are used for their intended purposes and that the organisation remains financially sustainable. This will also help protect the charity's reputation and credibility in the eyes of donors, beneficiaries, and the public. Acting with due care and diligence Trustees must perform their obligations with a reasonable level of expertise, care, and commitment. This means attending meetings, actively participating in discussions, and making informed decisions based on available information. Charity trustees should conduct themselves with integrity and in a manner that does not damage or undermine the reputation of the charity or its volunteers and employees. Trustees should also ensure they are transparent in their decision-making processes and communicate effectively with stakeholders to maintain trust and accountability. Effective governance is critical to the success and sustainability of any charity. By carrying out their responsibilities, trustees contribute to building public trust and confidence in the charity sector. Charities with an effective board of trustees attract and retain donors and volunteers, while also ensuring efficient and effective service delivery. Ultimately, strong governance practices help charities achieve their mission and make a positive impact on the communities they serve. Should you require any advice on the charities governance, compliance or internal controls, please get in touch with a member of our team. Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional advice.