Refunds of excess tax

It looks like the same is about to happen in 2010 for basis year 2009 as happened in previous years. I paid over €1,000 in excess to the Department of Inland Revenue for basis year 2009. I should have received a refund by the end of December 2010 unless the system has changed. According to the law, interest is now accruing on the refund amount as from January 1.

When we pay income tax, we are expected to pay the whole amount owed to the Department of Inland Revenue in one lump sum unless special circumstances exist where the department allows the taxpayer to pay by instalments, especially on large sums.

I hope the Department of Inland Revenue is in the process, according to law, of refunding these excess payments in the coming days.