New Job, admin and tax stress.

LegacyUser

Hi everyone,

Probably in the wrong place and it really is only a minor issue but its stressing me out big time.

I've landed my dream job and I'm starting wednesday. I got my experience from volunteering in a role related to the job I've been offered. I have to sort my taxation out during my induction however I did have a job from the time I was 17-20 in a shop and warehousing role but was not paying tax as I was a part time and causal worker so I didn't even pay PRSI.

My new employer has a 12a form for me, however given that I have worked before although illegaly There is a question on the form asking is this my first job in ireland, obviously its not and I dont want to tick no because my new employer would probably find that strange, I have references from the job but no tax record. So i'm freaking out a bit as I dont want to lie about anything. What should I do

Cheers guys.

ibarelycare

You will have to tick "No", if you tick Yes, Revenue will query why they have no record of your previous employment.


To save your employer seeing that however, you can send the Form 12A in yourself. Enter your PPS Number into the Revenue Locator and it will bring up the address of your local PAYE district. Fill your Form 12A in, take a photocopy or scan, and post it to that address. When you're talking to your employer, just tell them you sent the form off yourself, it shouldn't be a problem.

You'll be on emergency tax for a few weeks (Revenue can be slow at dealing with paperwork) but once your form is processed, both you and your employer will be sent a copy of your tax credit certificate and you will be taxed as normal. Your employer will not be given any information any previous employment that is not in the current tax year.

Clive

A couple of points OP. In your previous job were you working illegally or were you just not paying tax? As a part time worker you could well have been below the threshold for PRSI and your credits may have covered your liability.

It is your employer's obligation to deduct tax, PRSI etc - if they weren't doing it, it's not up to you to cover for them. If, however, you tick the box that says it's your first employment, you will be making a false declaration to Revenue. Tell the truth, and if there is an outstanding liability you can come to an arrangement with Revenue.

Not a major point, but it's very unusual for an employer to ask you to fill out form 12a if they think you've already been working.

ruaille buaille

If you didnt pay any tax or prsi then there would be no record of you working there. In that case I would put Yes that it was my first job in Ireland. Otherwise they will question why u werent paying any taxes.
Your current employer will not know that you have done this. They just recieve your tax credits from revenue but it wont give any information on previous jobs etc so u will be fine.

Faith

Clive wrote: »

A couple of points OP. In your previous job were you working illegally or were you just not paying tax? As a part time worker you could well have been below the threshold for PRSI and your credits may have covered your liability.

I worked part time for years and never paid tax because I never earned more than the threshold. My employer made PRSI contributions on my behalf, so I never paid money but I can still claim PRSI-related benefits.

It's an important point to check.

pog it

Maybe just explain to your new employer that you didn't pay tax in your last job and tell them you want to put down on the form that this is your first job.

3DataModem

pog it wrote: »

Maybe just explain to your new employer that you didn't pay tax in your last job and tell them you want to put down on the form that this is your first job.

Maybe don't do that, as you are asking them to be complicit in tax fraud. Rights and wrongs aside, it marks you out as untrustworthy and stupid.