What Is the TR2 Form and When Do I Need It?
The TR2 is the Revenue form used to register a new company for tax in Ireland. If you’ve just incorporated a limited company through the CRO, this is your next step. Without it, you won’t have a tax registration number, you can’t file returns, and you certainly can’t set up on ROS.
The TR2 covers several tax registrations in one go, depending on which sections you complete:
- Corporation Tax — required for every Irish incorporated company.
- VAT — if your turnover exceeds thresholds or you choose voluntary registration.
- Employer PAYE/PRSI — if you’re hiring staff or paying directors through payroll.
You should submit the TR2 soon after incorporation and before your first tax obligations arise. Don’t wait until you’re already trading. Always download the latest version from Revenue.ie, because older versions may lack updated fields or references.
What Information and Documents Should I Gather Before Filling Out TR2?
Sitting down to complete the TR2 without your documents to hand is a recipe for frustration. Get everything lined up first.
|
Category |
Details You’ll Need |
|
Company details |
Registered name, CRO number, incorporation date, registered office address, trading name(s), business address |
|
Business activity |
Main activity description, expected start date of trading, estimated turnover, whether you’ll import/export or trade with EU/UK |
|
Directors & secretary |
Full names, PPSNs, dates of birth, home addresses, contact details |
|
Tax agent |
Your accountant’s Tax Adviser Identification Number (TAIN), if appointing one |
|
Banking |
Company bank account details (for any repayments) |
|
Payroll |
Expected first pay date, estimated number of employees |
A missing PPS number for a director is probably the single most common reason TR2 submissions stall. Check these before you start.
How Do I Complete the Company Details Sections on the TR2 Form Correctly?
This is where most of the form’s real estate sits, and where careless mistakes cause delays.
- Registered name vs trading name: Your registered name must match your CRO records exactly. If you trade under a different name, enter that separately in the trading name field.
- Registered office vs business address: These can differ. Your registered office is the address on file with the CRO; your place of business is where you actually operate.
- Primary contact: Nominate someone Revenue can reach directly. This is often your accountant or a director.
- Accounting period end date: Choose a sensible year-end. Many Irish companies pick 31 December or align with their incorporation month. This decision affects your corporation tax filing deadlines.
Common mistakes? Mismatched details between the TR2 and CRO records. Using a personal home address when you meant to enter the registered office. Entering the incorporation date where the form asks for the trading start date. These aren’t trivial; they will slow things down.
What Business Activity Details Does Revenue Expect on TR2?
Describe your trade in plain English. “Software development services” or “online retail of homeware” is fine. Revenue uses this to categorise your company, not to quiz you on specifics. If the form asks for a sector code, pick the closest match.
- Indicate whether you’re already trading or still in a pre-trading phase.
- Note whether sales will be domestic-only or international.
- Estimate your first-year turnover. This doesn’t need to be exact; Revenue uses it for administrative purposes, not as a binding commitment.
How Do I Register the Company for Corporation Tax on TR2?
Every company incorporated in Ireland must register for corporation tax. There’s no getting around this one.
- Enter the date the company started (or will start) trading.
- Confirm your accounting period details and year-end date.
- Provide a correspondence address for tax matters.
Once Revenue processes your TR2, they’ll set up the corporation tax head on your record. You’ll then see this reflected when you log into ROS. From that point, you’re expected to file returns and pay on time.
How Do I Decide If I Should Register for VAT on the TR2 Form?
VAT registration is mandatory once your turnover exceeds certain Revenue-set thresholds . But even below those thresholds, voluntary registration can make sense, particularly if you’re selling B2B and want to reclaim VAT on expenses.
- Consider your expected sales volume and whether customers are businesses or consumers.
- If you’ll supply goods or services within the EU or import from outside Ireland, you’ll likely need VAT registration.
- Think about filing frequency; this can depend on your turnover and business type.
A common pitfall: registering for VAT before you’ve started trading, then having to file nil returns for months. Equally, registering too late can land you with penalties. Get the timing right.
What If My Company Will Trade with the EU/UK — What Should I Tick on TR2?
The form includes indicators for intra-EU supplies, acquisitions, and imports/exports. Ticking these may trigger additional registrations such as VIES or Intrastat reporting. If you’re unsure, confirm with your accountant before selecting cross-border options. It’s far easier to add these later than to untangle incorrect registrations.
How Do I Register as an Employer (PAYE/PRSI) Using the TR2 Form?
If you’re hiring anyone, or paying directors through payroll, you need to register as an employer. Yes, even a single director taking a salary triggers this requirement.
- Enter the date you expect to pay first wages.
- Estimate the number of employees.
- Be clear on the distinction: director drawings from a company are not the same as a salary. If a director is being paid through payroll, that’s an employer obligation under PAYE Modernisation.
Once registered, you’ll need to submit payroll reports through ROS each pay period. No delays, no exceptions.
How Do I Submit the TR2 Form to Revenue and What Happens Next?
Submission depends on your situation:
|
Method |
Details |
|
Online via ROS |
If your tax agent has ROS access, they can submit the TR2 electronically on your behalf. |
|
Paper/PDF |
Download from Revenue.ie, complete, sign, and post to the address specified on the form. |
After submission, expect Revenue to process the form and issue your tax registration number. Once confirmed, your company appears on ROS and you can begin filing returns. Keep records from day one; don’t wait until year-end to think about bookkeeping.
What Are the Most Common TR2 Mistakes and How Can I Avoid Delays?
- Missing or incorrect PPSNs for directors or the company secretary.
- Wrong trading start date (often confused with incorporation date).
- Failing to tick the correct tax heads: corporation tax, VAT, and employer registration are separate selections.
- Incomplete signatures or missing authorisations.
- Details on the TR2 that don’t match what’s on file with the CRO.
Speed things up by double-checking every date and name, using a checklist, and keeping a copy of everything you submit.
FAQs About Filling Out the TR2 Form (Ireland)
Can I submit the TR2 form before my company starts trading?
Yes. You can (and should) submit the TR2 after incorporation but before you begin trading. Enter your expected start date of trading rather than the incorporation date. Revenue needs this to set your first accounting period correctly.
Do I need to register for VAT if I’m under the threshold?
Not necessarily. Voluntary VAT registration can be beneficial if most of your clients are VAT-registered businesses, as it lets you reclaim input VAT. But if you’re selling to consumers, it may just add cost. Weigh it up carefully, or talk to your accountant.
Do I need to register as an employer if I’m only paying directors?
Yes, if director payments run through payroll. Any salary or wages paid to a director triggers PAYE/PRSI employer obligations under Revenue’s employer rules.
How long does it take Revenue to process the TR2?
Processing times vary. Straightforward submissions with complete information are typically processed within a few weeks. Errors or missing details will cause delays. You’ll know it’s done when your company appears on ROS with the relevant tax heads.
Can my accountant submit the TR2 form for me?
Absolutely. A tax agent with a TAIN can submit the TR2 on your behalf via ROS. You’ll still need to provide all the personal and company details, and sign any necessary authorisations.
Ready to Get Your TR2 Completed Correctly (and Set Up on ROS)?
Getting the TR2 right from the start saves you weeks of back-and-forth with Revenue. We handle TR2 submissions and full ROS setup for new companies every week.
- Have your CRO number, director details, expected start date, and estimated turnover ready.
- We’ll review your TR2 before submission, or complete it entirely on your behalf.
- Get in touch today to book a call, request a quote, or send us your draft TR2 for review.