In this episode of Irish Tax Unwrapped, we dive into one of the most avoidable — and expensive — inheritance tax blunders in recent memory.  A perfectly planned agricultural relief claim? Check. Clear instructions to the solicitor? Check. But when it came to execution, the holiday-bound solicitor had other priorities… and the whole plan went south.

Join Josh, Daphne, and Derek as they unpack the history and mechanics of agricultural relief — from medieval landholding tricks like fee tail and life interest arrangements, to the 1970s clampdown that gave birth to the relief we know today. Then, we break down how the relief works (and fails) in practice, through a real-life case where poor sequencing and paperwork led to a substantial tax bill.

In this episode we cover:

• The farmer test, qualifying assets, tax traps, clawbacks, and general requirements for agricultural relief
• Why intent isn’t enough — and execution is everything
• A cautionary tale for anyone planning to transfer land

Plus, in Tax News: we explore the Covidien VAT ruling and what it means for Irish companies, and the PAYE risks still haunting directors long after liquidation.

And in our Tax Relief Spotlight: how Special Needs Trusts can protect vulnerable family members from losing access to critical supports.

Irish Tax Unwrapped, Episode 9 — where timing is everything, and even good advice can fall flat if no one delivers.

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

What do medieval guilds, ancient Chinese merchants, and modern Irish family businesses have in common? In this episode of Irish Tax Unwrapped, we explore how humans have motivated work, rewarded loyalty, and shared wealth —  from the spice-laden markets of Chang’an, to the fields of feudal Europe and right up to today's boardrooms and tax planning meetings.

Join Josh, Daphne, and Derek as they unravel the story of growth shares — sleek, strategic equity tools that are revolutionising how companies incentivise staff and plan generational wealth transfers.  The episode covers:-

• What are growth shares
• The income tax and CGT implications for employee shares generally and growth shares
• The estate planning benefits of growth shares for family companies
• How growth shares are valued
• The interaction of growth shares with inheritance tax ‘business relief’
• How growth shares achieve substantial tax savings in practice
• The importance of planning ahead

Along the way, we spotlight ancient joint-stock systems, dissect recent tax cases (hello, mental earmarking), and introduce a new segment: the Tax Relief Spotlight, kicking off with the Dwelling House Exemption.

If you’ve ever wondered what links a Tang Dynasty merchant with a modern-day founder — or how to pass on wealth without handing over a tax headache — this one’s for you.

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

In this second podcast on taxing property we discuss the tax treatment of government contracts, VAT pitfalls and estate planning.  The landscape of property taxation is a strategic game where classification is everything.  What seems like a straightforward rental income could, in fact, be trading income—bringing a completely different tax treatment.  

Join Josh, along with tax experts Daphne and Derek, as they break down:

The Investment vs. Trading Divide – The crucial distinction between passive rental income and active property businesses. We discuss cases where landlords operating emergency accommodation for local councils were reclassified as businesses and how this shift impacted their tax bills.

VAT Pitfalls & Planning – Many landlords and Airbnb operators assume VAT doesn’t apply to them—until they breach the €40,000 threshold or sign a government contract.  We explore how VAT exemptions work, when rental income becomes VATable, and why failing to plan ahead could cut deeply into your margins.

Business Relief & Estate Planning – When it comes to inheritance tax, the difference between an investment and a trading business can mean paying 33% tax or just 3.3%.  We look at real cases where property owners won—and lost—their fight for business relief and why proving "active management" is the key to securing tax benefits.

With real-world tax cases, sharp insights, and a few rugby analogies along the way, this episode is a must-listen for advisors, investors, and anyone earning income from property.

Stay ahead of the tax game—subscribe to Irish Tax Unwrapped now!

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and all major platforms.

#Tax #PropertyInvestment #VAT #InheritanceTax #IrishTaxUnwrapped #TaxStrategy

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

Taxing property income should be simple — own a property, rent it out, pay tax.  But, much like the buildings themselves, once you step inside, it gets complicated fast.  From Schedule A, which once taxed aristocrats like a wealth tax, to Schedule D, which now divides property income into multiple cases, the history of property taxation is a story of class, power, and legal battles that still shape tax law today.

In this podcast, we explore:

🏡 The origins of property taxation—how the landed gentry were taxed differently from the working class.
⚖️ Landmark court cases—how legal challenges have defined what counts as rental income versus trading income.
📜 The evolution of tax law—how historical rules continue to affect landlords, investors, and short-term lets today.
💰 Modern implications—from traditional rental properties to Airbnb, how tax law is adapting (or struggling to).

With expert insights and real-world cases, we break down how history still shapes the tax treatment of property transactions today—and what that means for anyone earning income from property.

Subscribe now and stay ahead of the tax game!

Key words :  Property tax, Rental income tax, Real estate taxation, Airbnb tax, Short-term lettings tax, Buy-to-let tax, Landlord tax rules, Capital Gains Tax on property, Tax relief for landlords, Revenue Commissioners Ireland, Property investment tax, VAT on property, Stamp Duty tax, Passive income taxation, Schedule A tax, Schedule D tax, Exclusive possession tax law, Tax Appeals Commission cases, Real estate court rulings, Property tax deductions, Tax compliance for landlords, Tax loopholes in property, Trading vs. rental income tax, REIT taxation, Mortgage interest tax relief, Local Property Tax (LPT), Taxation of investment properties, Irish tax law, Real estate accounting, Property legal disputes, Tax-efficient property investment. 

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

Welcome to Irish Tax Unwrapped! In this episode, we uncover unexpected parallels between the dramatic conclusion of the 2011 Floyd Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz boxing match and a high-stakes tax case involving a Carlow builder’s €348,112 Capital Gains Tax bill.

We dive into a real-life tax dispute that’s anything but dry—the story of an Irish entrepreneur who attempted to claim retirement relief while transferring his family business to his son, only to have an offhand remark unravel his entire case.

Joining us is Daphne Andrews, a leading expert in tax law, to explore the often-overlooked world of tax appeals. Together, we uncover the historical roots of the burden of proof in tax disputes, why taxpayers have traditionally shouldered the responsibility of disproving Revenue’s assessments, and what it means for businesses navigating today’s tax landscape.

Tune in as Josh, Derek, and Daphne break down:

• The dramatic 2011 boxing match and its unforgettable "protect yourself at all times" lesson.
• How a casual remark during a Revenue audit delivered the “knockout punch” in a tax dispute.
• Retirement relief rules: what they are, how they go wrong, and strategies to avoid costly mistakes.

Think boxing and tax law have nothing in common? Think again. This episode is a true heavyweight bout you won’t want to miss. Stay tuned—it’s a knockout!

Key words:  Tax law, retirement relief, family business, succession planning, human behavior, tax dispute, capital gains tax, Revenue Commissioners, audit findings, entrepreneurship, tax avoidance, retirement, Irish tax law, Revenue audit, tax appeals, burden of proof, business tax planning, Daphne Andrews, Derek Andrews, Josh O'Connell, tax case study, taxation, tax knockout, assessment, taxpayer rights, tax compliance, tax law lessons.

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

 In this episode of Irish Tax Unwrapped host Josh sits down with tax expert Derek Andrews to break down Ireland's Angel Investor Relief, introduced in Budget 2023 and refined in Budget 2024.

This initiative aims to encourage investment in early-stage start-ups by offering a reduced capital gains tax rate.  Derek discusses the potential benefits, as well as the complexities and challenges start-ups and investors face when trying to qualify for this relief.  Whether you're an investor or entrepreneur, this conversation provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of start-up funding in Ireland.

Key Words: Angel Investor Relief, Ireland tax relief, start-up investment, capital gains tax, Budget 2023, Budget 2024, start-up funding, early-stage companies, investor incentives, business finance, tax expert, Derek Andrews, Josh O'Connell, Business Today, venture capital, entrepreneur tax benefits, tech start-ups, innovative start-ups 

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

In this episode of Irish Tax Unwrapped, we take a deep dive into the complex world of crypto-asset taxation in Ireland.  With the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, understanding how these digital assets are taxed is crucial for both individuals and businesses.

We break down the core tax categories: Income Tax, Corporation Tax, and Capital Gains Tax (CGT), and explain how they apply to crypto transactions. Whether you're trading, mining, accepting crypto as payment, or holding it as an investment, this episode provides insights into everything you need to know about crypto and tax compliance. We'll also cover VAT, payroll implications, and the importance of record-keeping to stay on the right side of Irish tax laws.

If you're a crypto investor, business owner, or simply curious about the taxation of cryptocurrencies in Ireland, this episode is for you!

Keywords: Crypto-assets, Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ireland, Taxation, Income Tax, Corporation Tax, Capital Gains Tax, CGT, VAT, Payroll, Record Keeping, Crypto Investors, Business, Crypto Transactions, Revenue, Crypto Mining

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

In this episode of Irish Tax Unwrapped, we break down the key elements of Ireland's Budget 2025 and what it means for both individuals and businesses. Host Josh O'Connell sits down with tax experts Derek and Daphne Andrews of Coventure Tax Consulting to explore the budget’s tax key tax measures.

Will these "budget gifts" provide long-term relief or be overshadowed by rising inflation? We discuss how the middle class, renters, and business owners will be affected, alongside a deep dive into corporate tax reforms and support for Ireland’s audiovisual sector. Tune in for expert insights into the balancing act the government faces in navigating economic growth, cost-of-living pressures, and electoral politics.

Whether you're a taxpayer, business owner, or just curious about how the budget impacts everyday life, this episode has you covered.

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.

Derek Andrews of Coventure Tax Consulting is a seasoned tax consultant with over 25 years of experience in tax compliance, audits, and advisory services. Specializing in helping individuals and businesses navigate complex tax regulations, he has extensive knowledge of the Revenue Commissioners' Compliance Intervention Framework, particularly in managing Level 2 interventions such as risk reviews and audits.

Derek has successfully guided numerous clients through the process of making qualifying disclosures, mitigating penalties, and resolving tax disputes. Known for a practical and methodical approach, he is committed to educating taxpayers about their rights and obligations, while helping them minimize exposure to financial and legal risks.

In today’s interview, Derek provides invaluable insights into how to respond effectively to a Revenue audit notification and the importance of timely action in making disclosures to avoid penalties and prosecution.

Key words:

Revenue audit notification, Level 2 compliance intervention, Risk review vs audit, Revenue audit process, Qualifying disclosure, Tax audit penalties, Prompted qualifying disclosure, Revenue audit Ireland, Revenue audit penalties, Revenue risk review.

Visit Coventure Tax Consulting for more information on tax matters.