Tax Rate Comparison

*Country*	%
Ireland	12.50
Germany	41.63
USA	35.00
Spain	35.00
Netherlands	34.50
France	34.42
Belgium	33.99
UK	30.00
Source: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005

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Revenue Guidelines for R&D Tax Credit (80 kB)

Tax Matters Ireland 2005
(Ernest & Young, 289 kB)

Low Corporate Tax in Ireland

Low corporation tax rates have always been a feature of industrial policy in Ireland.

Shannon offers:-

A corporation tax rate of 12.5% applies to trading profits in all sectors, including manufacturing and international services

A 20% tax credit against corporation tax liability is available towards qualifying expenditure on research and development (R&D)

Irish resident companies who use Shannon as regional headquarters or as a location for holding company activities are exempt from Irish Capital Gains Tax on the disposal of a substantial shareholding in their trading subsidiaries

Network of over 40 double taxation agreements

Low social security contributions for employees 5.16% (IMD 2005)

Attractive personal taxation arrangements for expatriates

VAT at Shannon:-

Shannon is zero Rated for VAT purposes

Goods can be imported from outside Ireland without payment of VAT at the point of entry
Charges on locally provided goods and services and imports of goods can be avoided if at least 75% of the products manufactured are for export - the so-called “13A exemption”

Taxation in Ireland (Shannon Development Publication, 2004, 103 kB)

Intellectual Property Rights Management