Taxpayers handed over close to €38 billion to the State last year, the latest figures show.

Headline numbers published by the Revenue Commissioners show they collected €37.8 billion in taxes from workers, businesses and consumers in 2013.

Of this, workers paid €15.76 billion from their wages, making income tax the biggest single component. VAT came in second at €10.34 billion.

Businesses paid €4.3 billion in corporation tax on profits, along with €369 million on capital gains and €279 million on capital acquisitions.

Excise, charged on alcohol and tobacco, accounted for €4.9 billion, making it the third-highest tax earner for the State in 2013.

Revenue chairwoman Josephine Feehily reiterated that more than nine out of 10 of those eligible paid the controversial local property tax last year.

Yesterday's figures show the Revenue received 1.6 million individual returns, a compliance rate of 91 per cent, which yielded a total of €242 million. Property owners also paid €76 million in respect of 2014 .

'Compliance activity'

According to Ms Feehily, the Revenue settled more than 8,000 audits, yielding more than €300 million, while 45,000 PAYE compliance checks turned up more than €30 million.

“Altogether our audit and compliance activity, including assurance checks yielded over €550 million,” Ms Feehily said.

She also pointed out that there were high levels of compliance from businesses, while the Revenue was prepared to work with taxpayers facing difficulties in meeting their obligations.

“We continued to support viable businesses and taxpayers who want to pay their taxes but are experiencing short-term difficulties – in 2013, approximately 16,000 customers had an agreed phased payment arrangement in place covering €125 million in tax debt,” she said.

Revenue also continued to challenge “aggressive” avoidance schemes using legislation and the abuse of rights provisions set out in EU law.