Croke Park officials are to seek clarification as to whether the ongoing Revenue Commissioners audit is specific to GAA units or if it also incorporates other sports organisations.
Several county boards are currently undergoing risk reviews, prompting the GAA to call an online meeting on Tuesday night of county chairpersons, secretaries and treasurers to discuss the matter.
When contacted by The Irish Times, Revenue declined to disclose if other sports bodies were part of the current wave of examinations, saying they did not comment on individual cases.
“Revenue is unable to comment on any ongoing compliance interventions,” they stated.
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At Tuesday night’s remote meeting several attendees are believed to have expressed unease and frustration at a lack of guidance from Croke Park and asked the GAA to take control of the process centrally.
As a result, the GAA will now take the lead in representing county boards with Revenue and an official statement confirming that approach is expected over the coming days.
It is thought by having the GAA centrally as the point of contact, rather than individual county boards with different approaches, the process would be streamlined and easier to manage.
By providing a template to help county boards understand what is required, it is hoped that Croke Park’s lead role will also lessen the burden on executive committee members, most of whom are volunteers.
It was confirmed at Tuesday’s meeting that Galway, Wexford and Mayo are currently undergoing risk reviews.
It is believed several other counties are likely to face similar audits in the future and that clubs could also be facing such examinations. With the likes of Galway and Mayo not signing off on their accounts, this is clearly a matter the GAA need to address.
Croke Park are to seek a meeting with Revenue to fully understand the extent of the audit and what is required from them to satisfy the examinations.
There is a possibility of revenue liabilities and while Revenue will not confirm the specific areas of interest they are investigating – it is known that issues around payment to Cúl Camp coaches have been raised, while expenses to referees, team holidays and nutritional allowances to intercounty players as negotiated by the GPA have also come under scrutiny.
But the bib-wearing, sideline patrolling elephant in the dressingroom is the payment to managers and coaches. This current investigation might not throw up a smoking gun from that black market economy, nonetheless the fact it is happening will make some at county and club level anxious.
Still, it appears to be those aforementioned issues where the main thrust of Revenue’s interests lie, for now.
Mayo GAA last week confirmed tax inspectors had not accepted their €119,778 figure for Cúl Camp coaches (2018 & 2019).
“Following the disclosure, the Revenue Commissioners requested further information from Mayo GAA for the 2018 and 2019 period,” stated Mayo GAA.
“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.”
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