By Every few months, the tax authority in Ireland — Revenue Commissioners (simply “Revenue”) — publishes a “Tax Defaulters List.” This list names people or businesses who owe large amounts of unpaid tax or duty. The 2025 lists show some startling numbers.
What Is the Defaulters List
The list includes two main groups. First, people or firms where a court decided a penalty or fine after a tax or duty offence. Second, those who accepted a settlement agreement with Revenue but had not paid the full amount by the reporting date.
Revenue follows this law under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which requires them to publish such names when the unpaid amounts or penalties are large enough.
The aim is clear: to warn others that tax defaults are serious and to encourage people to pay their dues.
What the 2025 Lists Show
In the latest quarter — from 1 July to 30 September 2025 — Revenue published 30 settlement cases. The total settlements amount to €10.5 million.
Among those, two cases were over €1 million. One of the biggest was a machinery sales and repair company owing roughly €1.7 million.
As of the reporting date, there were 7 cases where the settlement remained unpaid. Those unpaid dues total €3,356,681.
In a previous quarter — from 1 January to 31 March 2025 — Revenue had published 19 settlement cases worth €6.2 million.
Meanwhile, on the court side, in the first quarter of 2025 there was one case where a court-determined penalty amounted to €781,061.
The list shows a wide variety of defaulters — from large firms to small businesses, from retailers to landlords, and even some individuals.
Who Gets Name‑and‑Shame: Not Just Big Firms
The defaulters are not only big companies. Examples include:
- A wholesale firm based outside Ireland that owed over €1.1 million for non‑declaration of VAT.
- Landlords, company directors, and small businesses found short of tax or duties.
- People from agriculture or farming backgrounds. In earlier 2025 lists, several farmers were named for failing to declare correct income or misusing special fuel (so‑called “green diesel”).
This shows that tax defaults affect many kinds of taxpayers — not just the big businesses or corporations.
Why This Matters
The publication of this list has real effects.
First, it warns people and firms that failure to pay taxes may lead not only to penalties, but also to public disclosure. The public naming of defaulters adds social and financial pressure.
Second, the amounts involved are large. In just one quarter, millions of euro were at stake. The unpaid amounts alone — over €3.3 million — show that compliance remains a problem.
Third, this signals to every taxpayer: whether you run a small shop, farmland, rental properties, or a limited company — tax laws apply to all.
Fourth, by publishing such information, the state tries to discourage tax evasion and make the tax system more fair.
What Happens After the List Is Published
Once the list appears, Revenue starts or continues its efforts to collect the owed amounts. That may include payment demands, enforcement actions, or court cases if the defaulter does not cooperate.
If someone fails to repay, they might face further penalties or legal trouble. Even if a company goes out of business, the debt may still remain.
For smaller individuals — landlords, small firms, farmers — the risk is real. That makes it more important to file taxes correctly and on time.
What Every Person or Business in Ireland Should Learn
No matter how small your income or business, you must meet your tax duties. Under‑declaring income, skipping VAT, or misusing tax‑related rules can land you on this public list.
It pays to declare properly, file returns on time, and settle any tax you owe before it becomes large. That keeps you safe from fines, penalties, and public exposure.
If you are a landlord, a small business owner, a farmer, or someone earning from online work — treat taxes seriously.
Final Thought
The 2025 Tax Defaulters List shows one simple truth: unpaid taxes won’t stay hidden. With millions in unpaid settlements — from big firms and small landlords alike — the list sends a clear warning.
Pay your taxes. Do it right. Avoid ending up in the public list.
