Tax revenues robust in 2025 and sustained investment in public services and infrastructure – Tánaiste Simon Harris & Minister Jack Chambers
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From: Department of Finance; Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
- Published on: 6 January 2026
- Last updated on: 7 January 2026
- Tax revenues in 2025 amounted to €105.7 billion, up by €8.6 billion (8.9 per cent), on 2024.
- Of this:
- Income tax receipts amounted to €36.6 billion, up by €1.5 billion (4.3 per cent);
- Corporation tax receipts of €32.9 billion are up by €4.8 billion (17.2 per cent);
- VAT receipts of €22.9 billion were €1.1 billion (5.1 per cent) higher.
- Total gross voted expenditure amounted to €109.4 billion, €5.7 billion (5.5 per cent) ahead of 2024 and €0.6 billion (0.5 per cent) behind profile.
- An (underlying) Exchequer surplus of €3.8 billion was recorded last year.
An underlying Exchequer surplus of €3.8 billion was recorded last year.
On the revenue side total underlying tax receipts amounted to €105.7 billion in 2025, an €8.6 billion (8.9 per cent) increase on 2024.
In terms of direct taxes income tax receipts of €36.6 billion are up on the previous year by €1.5 billion (4.3 per cent) reflecting the strength of labour market. Corporation tax receipts amounted to €32.9 billion last year, €4.8 billion (17.2 per cent) ahead of 2024.
In terms of indirect taxes, VAT receipts for the year amounted to €22.9 billion, €1.1 billion (5.1 per cent) higher than 2024, demonstrating the resilience in consumption. Excise receipts were €6.5 billion, up by €0.2 billion (3.0 per cent).
Non-tax revenue in 2025 was €3.5 billion, up by €1.9 billion on 2024, largely driven by transfers to the Exchequer arising from the CJEU judgement (mainly interest payments).
Total gross voted expenditure amounted to €109.4 billion, €5.7 billion (5.5 per cent) ahead of 2024 and €0.6 billion (0.5 per cent) behind profile.
In terms of the bottom line, an underlying Exchequer surplus of €3.8 billion was recorded in the year, an improvement of €2.0 billion on the previous year (the headline surplus was €7.1 billion).
Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris T.D. said:
“The Exchequer figures for 2025 are a reflection of the fundamental strength of our economy: income tax and VAT receipts, the clearest indicators of our economic performance, are continuing to perform well, while most other revenue streams are in line with expectations.
“As we look towards 2026, this Government is committed to using the resources of the State to improve people’s lives in a sustainable manner. Last month, we published Ireland’s Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plan, which represents a fundamental shift in the way we do budgetary policy in Ireland. The Plan fixes the level of spending without restricting us from improving public services, investing in infrastructure and protecting the public finances.”
The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers T.D. said:
“The uplift we saw in public spending last year delivered on the key areas of importance we set out in Budget 2025: targeted investment in public services and infrastructure. There were increases in weekly welfare payment rates, and continued investment in our frontline public service through the provision of additional teaching, nursing and garda posts.
“The 21% increase in capital funding to the Housing Vote Group in 2025, alongside the work my Department delivered through the National Development Plan Review and the Accelerating Infrastructure Report, are a clear signal of our commitment to improving delivery in this critical area. There were also significant increases in capital spending in Health, with a key focus on additional Acute Beds, and in Transport, with the delivery of critical road, rail and bus infrastructure.
“We want to ensure that every euro spent delivers real impact for our people, through tangible service delivery. This approach is about making meaningful choices with public money and through delivering on the priorities set out in Budget 2026, we are providing high-quality public services, investing in growth-enhancing infrastructure and improving living standards across our country.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Unless stated, all figures in this press release exclude the impact of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling of September last year.
In 2025 €3.3 billion was received (€1.7 billion in corporation tax receipts and €1.6 billion in non-tax revenues) in the first half of the year.
Analytical Exchequer Statement December 2025
Presentation by John McCarthy Chief Economist, Department of Finance - Exchequer Returns Q4_2025