Capital gains tax in Ireland Confirm the cited source.

01What rate does Ireland charge on capital gains?

Ireland's Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is charged under Part 19 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 at a flat rate of 33% on chargeable gains, regardless of the size of the gain or the individual's income level (Revenue Commissioners). A higher rate of 40% applies to gains from certain foreign life assurance policies entered into on or after 20 May 1993 and from certain offshore fund interests (Revenue Commissioners; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries). Each individual is entitled to an annual personal exemption of EUR 1,270 under Section 601 TCA 1997 -- gains up to that threshold in a tax year are fully exempt. Spouses each receive their own EUR 1,270 separately; the exemption is not transferable between spouses or between years.

02What assets are subject to CGT?

Chargeable assets include land and buildings, shares and securities, business assets, and most intangibles and personal property. Key exemptions include: principal private residences (conditions apply), wasting chattels such as personal-use cars, most Irish government securities, and foreign currency held for personal use. The chargeable gain is calculated as sale proceeds minus the cost base; allowable deductions include acquisition costs (stamp duty, professional fees), enhancement expenditure, and disposal costs. Indexation relief is available for assets acquired before 1 January 2003 but is frozen at December 2002 multipliers -- no further inflation adjustment applies for periods after 2002 (Revenue Commissioners).

03How does Principal Private Residence relief work?

Principal Private Residence (PPR) relief under Section 604 TCA 1997 exempts gains on a dwelling-house used as the owner's only or main residence throughout the ownership period. Where the property was a main residence for only part of the ownership period, partial relief applies on a time-apportioned basis. The final 12 months of ownership are always treated as a period of main-residence occupation regardless of actual use -- which protects sellers during the period between vacating and completion of sale. Garden and grounds up to one acre qualify along with the dwelling. Only one PPR may be designated per married couple or civil partnership at any time (Revenue Commissioners).

04What reliefs reduce CGT on business disposals?

Two significant business-disposal reliefs exist:

Revised Entrepreneur Relief (Section 597AA TCA 1997) applies a reduced 10% CGT rate on qualifying gains up to a lifetime limit. For disposals from 1 January 2026 onwards the lifetime limit is EUR 1,500,000 per individual, increased from EUR 1,000,000 by Finance Act 2025. Qualifying conditions include: the business assets must have been owned for at least three years; for shares, the individual must hold at least 5% of the ordinary share capital of a trading company and must have been a working director for at least three of the five years before disposal (Revenue Commissioners).

Retirement Relief (Section 598 TCA 1997) exempts qualifying business and farm disposals by individuals aged 55 or older who have owned and used the assets for at least ten years. Transfers to family members have historically attracted unlimited relief; Finance Act 2024 introduced a EUR 10 million cap on that family exemption for transferors aged 70 or over, effective for disposals from 1 January 2025. Third-party disposals are capped at EUR 750,000 for those aged 55-69 and EUR 500,000 from age 66 upwards (Revenue Commissioners).

05Summary of key CGT rates and thresholds

06When and how is CGT paid?

As summarised in the table above, the payment date depends on when in the calendar year the disposal occurred: 15 December for January-November disposals, and 31 January of the following year for December disposals (Revenue Commissioners). The annual self-assessment return (Form CG1) is filed by 31 October of the year after disposal -- separately from the income tax return. Late payment attracts an interest charge; a late return attracts a penalty. Payments are made through the Revenue Online Service (ROS) or myAccount.

For a broader view of Irish taxation see the Ireland country overview. Capital losses are quarantined within CGT and cannot offset income tax; unused losses carry forward indefinitely. Non-residents are liable for Irish CGT only on 'specified assets' such as Irish land, buildings, and (since 2017) unquoted shares deriving more than 50% of their value from Irish land.

The rules above reflect Revenue guidance current at the date reviewed. Individual circumstances vary -- consult a qualified tax professional (Chartered Accountant Ireland or CPA Ireland member) before making disposal decisions.