Exchequer returns December 2025- Peter Vale commentary
NewsIrish Exchequer reports record tax receipts and surplus for 2025.
Summary
Average Wage Single - €36k
| Scenario | Single, average wage, no children. Employment income €36k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€3,200
|
€3,200
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€626
|
€613
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€1,485
|
€1,526
|
(€41)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€5,311
|
€5,338
|
(€27)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€30,689
|
€30,662
|
(€27)
|
High Income Single - €100k
| Scenario | Single, high income, no children. Self-employed income €100k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€27,200
|
€27,200
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€4,044
|
€4,030
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€4,125
|
€4,238
|
(€113)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€35,369
|
€35,468
|
(€99)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€64,631
|
€64,532
|
(€99)
|
Single Parent - €50k
| Scenario | Single parent entitled to single person child carer tax credit, 1 child. Gross employment income €50k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€4,500
|
€4,500
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€1,046
|
€1,033
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€2,063
|
€2,119
|
(€56)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€7,609
|
€7,652
|
(€43)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€42,392
|
€42,348
|
(€43)
|
Average Income Family - 2 Earners
| Scenario | Married, average wage x2, one dependent parent. Partner 1: employment income €36k. Partner 2: employment income €26k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€4,095
|
€4,095
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€966
|
€953
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€2,558
|
€2,627
|
(€70)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€7,618
|
€7,675
|
(€57)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€54,382
|
€54,325
|
(€57)
|
Self-Employed - €150k
| Scenario | Married, one earner. Partner 1: self-employment income €150k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€41,450
|
€41,450
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€9,544
|
€9,530
|
€13
|
|
PRSI
|
€6,188
|
€6,356
|
(€169)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€57,181
|
€57,337
|
(€155)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€92,819
|
€92,663
|
(€155)
|
High Income Family - 2 Earners (Self-employed)
| Scenario | Married, High Income family, 2 children. Partner 1: employment income €50k, Partner 2: self-employed income €100k | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€34,400
|
€34,400
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€5,090
|
€5,063
|
€27
|
|
PRSI
|
€6,188
|
€6,356
|
(€169)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€45,677
|
€45,820
|
(€142)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€104,323
|
€104,181
|
(€142)
|
High Income Family - 2 Earners
| Scenario | Married, High Income Family, 2 children. Partner 1: emploment income €70k, Partner 2: employment income €130k |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€54,400
|
€54,400
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€8,090
|
€8,063
|
€27
|
|
PRSI
|
€8,250
|
€8,475
|
(€225)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€70,740
|
€70,938
|
(€198)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€129,260
|
€129,062
|
(€198)
|
Squeezed Middle Income Families
| Scenario | Squeezed middle income families. Partner 1: employment income €45K, Partner 2: employment income €45K | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pre-Budget | 2026 Post-Budget | Difference | |
|
Income Tax
|
€10,400
|
€10,400
|
€0
|
|
USC
|
€1,792
|
€1,766
|
€26
|
|
PRSI
|
€3,713
|
€3,814
|
(€101)
|
|
Total Taxes
|
€15,905
|
€15,979
|
(€75)
|
|
Take Home Pay
|
€74,096
|
€74,021
|
(€75)
|
*Not reflecting any changes to Employee PRSI which may apply from 7 October 2025.
Explore our latest Budget insights
View more
|
1 min read
|
07 Jan 2026
Company Vehicle BIK changes from January 2026
ArticleNew BIK rates from Jan 2026 include EV incentives and OMV reductions. Learn how emissions and mileage affect company car tax in Ireland.
|
3 min read
|
03 Nov 2025
Budget 2026 analysis: strength on paper, hesitation in practice
ArticleIreland’s Budget 2026 shows strong fiscal numbers but cautious delivery, raising questions about investment, growth, and infrastructure readiness.
|
5 min read
|
28 Oct 2025