Factsheets

Counterparty credit risk was identified as a supervisory priority by the ECB for 2022 - 2024, as banks had been increasingly offering capital market services to riskier, leveraged and less transparent counterparties, in particular with non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), at a time when the interest rate environment was low.

Over the past few weeks, the Irish Revenue Commissioners (‘Revenue’) has sent in excess of 20,000 letters to non-resident landlords (‘NRL’) and their collection agents, informing them of the upcoming changes to the administration of withholding tax for NRLs. In these letters, Revenue has also detailed the information that landlords will be required to provide to their tenants or collection agents.

During 2022, the Revenue Commissioners launched a share-based remuneration project. Revenue analysed employer annual share reporting forms (e.g. Form RSS1) against available data such as personal tax returns. They identified discrepancies such as employees under-declaring share option tax and underpaying Capital Gains Tax (CGT).

Findings from the CBI’s thematic assessment across a sample of MiFID firms, considering the approach taken by Boards and Senior Management, to foster and embed an effective conduct-focused culture.

DORA will have a significant effect on enhancing the operational resilience of digital systems. By soliciting public input through this consultation process, the European Supervisory Authorities aim to ensure that the resulting technical standards align with industry best practices promote digital resilience and facilitate a robust and secure digital environment across the EU.

Irish employers can offer employees a variety of benefits as a part of their overall remuneration package. These benefits can take the form of a cash benefit—for example maternity leave pay—or a non-cash benefit, such as the cycle-to-work scheme.

The world around us is changing – changing at a pace that appears to be exponential at the very least. The inception of advanced AI learning systems such as Open AI’s ‘ChatGPT’ has allowed the technology to take centre stage on the world podium, and not entirely for the right reasons.

The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (“EFRAG”) submitted to the European Commission its technical advice on the first set (“set 1”) of draft European Sustainability Reporting Standards (“ESRSs”) on the 22 November 2022. This included 2 “cross cutting” ESRSs (General Requirements and General Disclosures) and 10 “topical” standards across Environmental, Social and Governance topics.

The Revenue Commissioners (“Revenue”) first introduced the Special Assignee Relief Programme (SARP) in 2012 as a method for encouraging companies to relocate or assign their key employees to work in Ireland. Where certain conditions are satisfied, 30 percent of taxable employment income over €100,000 is disregarded for income tax purposes. This programme can result in significant tax savings for key employees.

The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) is extended until the end of April 2023. The monthly limit on payments that can be made under the scheme is enhanced. These changes featured in the Government’s Cost of Living package of supports announced in February 2023.

Why the ECB and EIOPA Are Exploring Actions to Reduce the Climate Insurance Protection Gap

With a significant number of employees now working in different locations, global mobility has become an area of focus for Ireland’s Revenue Commissioners. Revenue has increased their resources in this area and begun to issue detailed guidance that addresses employers and employees in these circumstances.

Creating and implementing watertight Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures can be problematic for many organisations since the process remains a people-driven, manual operation.

Grant Thornton Financial Counselling Ltd acts as intermediary between you, the consumer, and the product provider with which we arrange your business.

With our finger on the pulse of this ever-evolving industry, we provide intermediaries with practical, cost-effective solutions to address your business needs, from outsourcing, assistance in navigating regulatory landscape developments and their impacts, statutory reporting requirements, to support with mergers and acquisitions.

On 22nd March 2021, the EU Council introduced "DAC7”, or the 7th Directive (2011/16/EU), on Administrative Cooperation, which enables EU Member States to address some of the perceived negative aspects of the digital economy, by extending the scope of existing exchange of information provisions between Member States, and thus ensuring greater transparency on cross border transactions.