Government measures in key jurisdictions 5th edition - Flipbook - Page 68
Ireland
•
The reporting deadline for DAC2, CRS and FATCA returns has been extended by 3
months to 30 September 2020 for the 2019 period.
•
Irish Revenue have confirmed that Ireland has opted-in to Council Directive 2020/876
to defer the reporting and exchange of information deadlines under DAC6 by 6 months.
•
Employers can pay remote workers up to Ä3.20 per day without deducting income tax
to cover electricity, heating and broadband costs. Employees working from home can
claim Remote Working Relief to cover a portion of such costs where their employer does
not make the above payment.
•
A benefit-in-kind will not arise for employees where employers:
– provide employees with equipment to allow them to work remotely,
– reimburse flight or holiday cancellations for employees integral to the business until
30 December 2020, or
– Supply temporary accommodation to employees to mitigate the risk of transmission.
Due to Covid-19 circumstances, some private healthcare providers may issue a fund of
healthcare insurance premiums to an employer/employee and individual policy holders
who have personally paid for the policy. The amount taxed as a benefit-in-kind will be
reduced to reflect the reduced policy amount.
•
Company
law matters
Have any measures
been put in place
to accommodate
social distancing
(such as remote
general meetings)?
In an effort to address the practical difficulties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Irish
Government has passed the Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Covid-19) Act 2020
(“Act”), which was commenced by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation on the
21st August 2020. The Act is in force for an “interim period”, initially ending on 31 December
2020, but has been extended by S.I. No. 672/2020, Companies Act 2014 (Section 12A(1))
(Covid-19) Order 2020 to 9 June 2021. The provisions of the Act complement the Covid-19
Workplace Protection and Improvement Guide, which provides recommended practices
for the use of technology for video/ virtual meetings and limiting the number of meetings
including length and proximity of gathering of employees and others.
Virtual Meetings:
•
A company may hold a general meeting remotely through the use of any
technology provided the members can vote and participate in the meeting. However,
there is no longer a need for a physical location to be specified in order to hold a meeting.
All general meetings for the interim period can be conducted wholly or partially remotely
provided attendees have the ability to vote and otherwise participate in the meeting.
•
Board meetings are also capable of being convened through electronic means or by
passing a written resolution.
Proxies: Members are also allowed to appoint another person to vote on their behalf as a proxy.
The use of these methods is subject to the provisions found in the company’s constitution.
Some constitutions may expressly forbid their use. Notwithstanding anything in the company’s
constitution, each member and proxy who participates in a general meeting by electronic
means will be counted in the quorum.
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Government measures in key jurisdictions
