💶 Your Emergency Tax Situation
✅ How to Get Off Emergency Tax — Step by Step
Go to Revenue myAccount — log in at revenue.ie/myaccount. You'll need your PPSN, date of birth and mobile number.
Register your new employment — click "Manage Your Tax" then "Add New Job". Enter your employer's tax registration number (ask HR for this — it's on your payslip).
Revenue sends your employer an RPN — Revenue will issue a Revenue Payroll Notification to your employer within 3-5 working days. This tells them your correct tax credits.
Your next payslip is corrected — your employer applies the correct credits. Any overpaid emergency tax is refunded automatically through your next pay.
Check your refund — if you were on emergency tax for several months, Revenue will show you the full refund amount in myAccount. Large refunds may need to be claimed separately.
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🚨 What is Emergency Tax in Ireland?
Emergency tax is applied when Revenue doesn't have your current employment details on file. This usually happens when you:
- Start a new job and haven't registered the employment on Revenue myAccount
- Haven't provided your PPSN to your new employer
- Come to Ireland for the first time and don't have an Irish tax record
- Return to work after a long career break
- Change jobs and there's a delay in Revenue processing your details
⚠️ How much is emergency tax?
Week 1-3: All income taxed at 20% — no tax credits applied
Week 4+: All income taxed at 40% — no tax credits, no rate band
Plus full USC and PRSI on all earnings regardless
Week 1-3: All income taxed at 20% — no tax credits applied
Week 4+: All income taxed at 40% — no tax credits, no rate band
Plus full USC and PRSI on all earnings regardless
❓ Emergency Tax FAQ
How long does emergency tax last? ▼
Emergency tax continues until Revenue issues a Revenue Payroll Notification (RPN) to your employer. Once you register your employment on myAccount, this usually happens within 3-5 working days. Your employer then applies the correct credits on your next payslip.
Can my employer put me on emergency tax on purpose? ▼
No — employers are legally required to request an RPN from Revenue for all new employees. However if Revenue hasn't issued an RPN (usually because you haven't registered the employment), the employer must apply emergency tax basis as a legal requirement.
How do I claim back emergency tax after I've left the job? ▼
Log into Revenue myAccount and use the "Review Your Tax" service for the relevant tax year. You can claim back any overpaid tax directly. Revenue will send a refund to your bank account within 5 working days once approved.
Does emergency tax affect my PRSI record? ▼
No — PRSI contributions are calculated separately from PAYE tax credits. Emergency tax does not affect your PRSI record or entitlements. You will still accumulate PRSI contributions normally while on emergency tax.
What if I'm a new arrival to Ireland and have no PPSN? ▼
You must apply for a PPSN from the Department of Social Protection before you can register with Revenue. You can apply online at mywelfare.ie. Once you have your PPSN, register with Revenue myAccount immediately to minimise emergency tax.