Ireland has a stable and certain tax environment. Ireland is an English speaking and fully committed member of the Eurozone.

Ireland has developed strategic clusters of inward investment in areas including Financial Services, Internationally Traded Services, Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences, ICT, Engineering, Digital Media and Consumer Brands. Ireland is now going to develop a strategic maritime cluster and invites you to be part of this exciting journey.

Ireland is a modern and outward looking economy.

Ireland consistently ranks in global reviews as one of the best places in the world to do business. Ireland’s value proposition of talent, track record and technology infrastructure, underpinned by the 12.5% corporate tax rate continues to resonate strongly with investors. Ireland has continued to focus on tax, talent and keeping costs competitive ensuring a stable business environment for companies doing business here.

Ireland has one of the most favourable tax regimes in the world, attracting hundreds of foreign companies to locate here.

As well as being favourable, it is a stable and certain tax environment. This is strengthened by the government’s long term commitment to the 12.5% corporate tax rate. In addition Ireland has a 25% R&D tax credit and has just introduced a 6.25% knowledge box to further strengthen an excellent intellectual property regime. Ireland also has an extensive and growing Double Taxation Treaty network.

Ireland has a highly competitive tonnage tax regime in place. For a vessel registered under Irish Tonnage Tax a notional profit is assigned to it based on its net tonnage. That profit is then taxed at the standard corporate tax rate of 12.5%.

Some of the main benefits of the Irish Tonnage Tax regime:

•    Nominal taxation on notional profits
•    Stability and certainty for companies
•    Broad definition of qualifying income
•    Flag blind
•    Ship management companies also qualify
•    No capital gains tax on shipping assets
•    Permanent reduction in tax liability, not a deferral
•    Wide range of profits covered and exempt from regular taxation
•    No obligation to provide training berths
•    Up to 75% of the fleet’s tonnage may be chartered in
 
Irish Tonnage Tax Calculator

For full details on Ireland's Tonnage Tax System please visit the link below

Irish Tonnage Tax – opportunities for the international shipping industry

A proactive, highly educated and flexible workforce enables global businesses to adapt to ever-changing needs.

This also offers them the ability to rapidly expand their activities when required. Ireland has the youngest population in Europe with 40% of the population under 29 years of age. Third-level institutions across Ireland actively work to build industry links and offer extensive research capabilities to companies through a number of Technology and Applied Research Centres.

Ireland is a gateway to world markets and is one of the most open and globally connected countries in the world.

Ireland's geographic position, easy transport links to Europe, the US and the Middle East; and membership of the EU and Eurozone, ensure easy access across the globe. Our telecommunications infrastructures is well developed and highly competitive. The telecommunications market is fully de-regulated and numerous companies have entered the market. Large investments in recent years have resulted in state-of-the-art optical networks with world class national and international connectivity.

There is clear cross departmental Government support for the growth and development of the Maritime Industry in Ireland.

The Irish Government pursues a pro-business economic policy by providing a dynamic source of start-up funding and support programmes. Ireland is home to world-class companies and research centres in sectors such as ICT, life sciences, gaming, financial services and food & beverages. This gives companies locating in Ireland easy access to quality staff, experienced entrepreneurs, investors, suppliers, research institutes and other support services.

Ireland in a global context

Criteria	Ireland	Luxembourg	Netherlands	Sweden	United Kingdom
Statutory Tax Rate	12.5%	29%	25%	22%	21%
R&D Tax Credit	25% Tax Credit (Refundable)	-	Enhanced deductions only	-	10%
EU and Eurozone Member	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
English Speaking & Common Law	Yes	No	No	No	Yes
Availability of Skilled Labour (IMD, 2015)	10th	26th	5th	16th	31st
Best Country for Doing Business (Forbes 2015)	4th	24st	9th	5th	10th
”The Good Country Index” (2015)	1st	16th	4th	6th	7th
Ease of Paying Taxes (World Bank, 2016)	6th	21th	26th	37th	15th
Protection for Investors (World Bank, 2016)	8th	122th	66th	14th	4th
World Competitiveness Scoreboard (IMD, 2015)	16th	6th	15th	9th	19th
Office Buying Price per Square Metre (Global Property Guide, 2015)	$5611 (Dublin)	$7654 (Lux. City)	$6625 (Amsterdam)	$9439 (Stockholm)	$34351 (London)