Registering Your Irish Employment
Summary
How to register your employment in Ireland with Revenue
Starting a new job in Ireland? Whether you’re an Irish citizen, a returning emigrant, or a foreign national relocating here, one of the most critical first steps is to register your employment with Revenue.
Failing to do so can mean falling into the dreaded emergency tax system, where up to 40–50% of your income is withheld unnecessarily. While refunds are possible, it creates cashflow headaches and delays. That’s why proper registration - done correctly and promptly - is essential.
At Irish Tax Hub, we specialise in helping employees, contractors, and expats navigate this process seamlessly, saving clients time, stress, and money.
How Employment Registration Works
Step 1 – Create or Access Your Revenue Account
- Most employees use Revenue’s MyAccount system.
- Employers, contractors, and businesses often require Revenue Online Service (ROS).
- These systems allow you to:
Register your job
Manage tax credits
Access payroll notifications (RPNs)
Update details such as additional jobs or pensions
Irish Tax Hub Tip: Many people register incorrectly by using the wrong portal. We guide you to the right one, ensuring no delays.
Step 2 – Add Your New Job or Pension Details
Through MyAccount → PAYE Services → Add Job or Pension, you’ll provide:
- Employer’s name and PAYE number
- Your start date
- Work address
- Contract details
Once submitted, Revenue issues a Revenue Payroll Notification (RPN) to your employer. This document is what tells payroll how much tax, USC, and PRSI to deduct.
Step 3 – Monitor Emergency Tax Status
Until your employer receives and applies your RPN, you may be taxed on an emergency basis:
- No credits or cut-off points applied
- Higher deductions of up to 40%–50%
- Refunds only after correction
At Irish Tax Hub, we track this stage closely. If you’ve already been overtaxed, we prepare and submit refund claims promptly.
Special Scenarios and Edge Cases
✅ Returning Emigrants
Many Irish citizens returning home after years abroad are surprised to find themselves hit with emergency tax. Why? Because their PPS number is dormant or Revenue still holds outdated records.
✅ Contractors & Umbrella Employees
If you’re engaged through a contracting company or umbrella payroll, you may need both employee and employer registrations. Incorrect setup could leave you double-taxed or missing PRSI contributions.
✅ Multiple Jobs
Holding down two or more jobs? Revenue requires you to:
- Register both roles
- Split your tax credits and rate bands strategically
Most employees don’t optimise this—leaving tax wasted in one role and emergency rates applied in another.
➡️ Irish Tax Hub Advantage: We run simulations showing how to allocate credits across jobs to keep more net pay in your pocket.
✅ Short-Term Assignments & Non-Residents
If you’re working in Ireland for fewer than 60 days (common with overseas secondments), you might not even need to be in PAYE -if bilateral agreements apply. But Revenue requires clear documentation, or they will default to taxing you.
➡️ Irish Tax Hub Guidance: We liaise with both Revenue and employers to secure exemptions where valid.
What Happens if You Don’t Register Properly?
- Emergency Tax: Higher deductions that crush take-home pay
- Refund Delays: Overpaid tax may not be reclaimed until the year-end return
- Incorrect PRSI Contributions: Impacts benefits like Jobseeker’s Benefit or State Pension
- Compliance Risks: For contractors and employers, unregistered employment may trigger penalties
Case Studies
- The Returning IT Specialist
Mary moved back from Australia, started a Dublin job, and lost nearly €2,000 in her first two months due to emergency tax. With Irish Tax Hub’s intervention, her PAYE was corrected, and she received a lump-sum refund within 6 weeks. - The Dual-Job Student
Tom worked part-time in a café and as a delivery driver. His credits were all assigned to one job, leaving him overtaxed in the other. Irish Tax Hub rebalanced his credits and put an extra €90 back in his pocket every month. - The International Contractor
James, a UK consultant on a 45-day Irish contract, was wrongly placed on Irish PAYE. We secured exemption, saving him double taxation and filing headaches.
Why Choose Irish Tax Hub?
Unlike Revenue or Citizens Information - who provide rules but not personalised solutions - Irish Tax Hub delivers:
- End-to-end PAYE registration support
- Emergency tax recovery & refund filing
- Credit allocation optimisation for multiple jobs
- Specialist expat and contractor tax planning
- Payslip analysis to spot errors automatically
Our clients don’t just get registered - they get strategically positioned for tax savings.
Final Thoughts
Employment registration in Ireland is simple in theory but often messy in practice - especially for expats, contractors, and those with multiple income streams. Mistakes can cost thousands in emergency tax or missed refunds.
With Irish Tax Hub, you get more than compliance. You get clarity, confidence, and a strategy tailored to your career path.
👉 Take action today: Contact Irish Tax Hub for expert help in registering your employment and maximising your net pay.
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This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Tax laws and regulations are subject to change and may vary based on individual circumstances. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified tax professional or financial advisor before making decisions based on the information provided. We make no guarantee regarding the accuracy, completeness, or applicability of this content to your particular tax situation.
