Mayo GAA second county to not sign off on end of year accounts due to Revenue tax audit
Mayo GAA made a voluntary disclosure of €119,778 to the Revenue Commissioners last year.
Mayo GAA have become the second county board to confirm they will not sign off on their end of year accounts in light of an ongoing Revenue tax audit.
In a statement released following a rescheduled county board meeting on Thursday evening, Mayo GAA said that because they are not in a position to accurately assess the final potential liabilities that may arise from the Revenue review, they will not be signing off on their end of year accounts to be published later this month.
Galway were the first county to announce it was taking this approach, as revealed by the Irish Examiner earlier this week. Revenue commissioners are currently reviewing Galway’s tax affairs from the years 2018 and 2019. The probing is wide ranging, related to payments to referees and casual workers, as well as team holidays.
Mayo GAA made a voluntary disclosure of €119,778 to the Revenue Commissioners last year in relation to the potential tax liability for payments to Cúl Camp coaches.
“Following the disclosure, the Revenue Commissioners requested further information from Mayo GAA for the 2018 and 2019 period,” read this evening’s statement.
“In light of this request, Mayo GAA began its own voluntary review of the tax treatment it applies across a range of expenses paid in subsequent years, from 2020-2024. Mayo GAA took it upon itself to engage proactively with Revenue on this wider review.
“The Revenue Commissioners’ intervention is still ongoing, and while we have no certainty on how long it will take, it is hoped that the process will conclude in the coming months.” This ongoing review has prompted the decision not to sign off on the 2024 accounts until any additional liabilities are quantified and agreed. The decision of the Mayo county board executive is supported by the county’s audit and risk committee.
“To prevent similar issues highlighted by Revenue from arising in the future, Mayo GAA has commenced a review of the payment of all expenses going forward to ensure they are fully compliant with Revenue guidelines,” the statement continued.
Mayo chairman Seamus Tuohy, in the same statement, said all county boards must “have clear guidelines going forward around the tax treatment of all expenses that are incurred in the running of our association”.
