HOW TO HIRE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

How to hire a VAT return accountant in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

A vat returns in Ireland costs €100–€400 per return, typically around €200. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a VAT return accountant in five steps

  1. Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers VAT return accountant work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — consultation on VAT Compliance — experts can provide advice on VAT compliance and regulations, helping businesses understand their obligations.
  2. How does complexity of your business transactions change the price?It is part of every quote for this kind of work. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  3. How does volume of sales change the price?Numbers decide whether one person can manage it alone. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  4. How does whether you have previously filed VAT returns change the price?An unregistered provider does not charge VAT at all. — ask before the quote rather than after.
  5. What is not included?VAT Reclaim Assistance — if your business has overpaid VAT, professionals can assist in reclaiming this amount — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a VAT return accountant job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

THE TERM 'ACCOUNTANT' IS NOT PROTECTED — anyone may use it, which surprises most people. What is checkable is membership of a professional body (Chartered Accountants Ireland, ACCA, CPA Ireland), each of which maintains a searchable member list, requires professional indemnity insurance and gives you a complaints route. An agent filing on your behalf also needs an agent registration with the tax authority.

Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.

What to check instead

Which professional body, and their member number — then check it on that body's own register; Professional indemnity insurance and its limit; Their agent registration, if they will file for you; Who does the work and who reviews it; The fee basis: fixed, hourly, or per return, and what is outside it; What you are responsible for providing, and by when.

Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.

Insurance

Expect professional indemnity insurance, which the professional bodies require. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.

Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.

Trader or private seller

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.

Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.

VAT

VAT at 23%, the standard rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.

Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →

“Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?”

A good answer: No register covers VAT return accountant work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — consultation on VAT Compliance — experts can provide advice on VAT compliance and regulations, helping businesses understand their obligations.

“How does complexity of your business transactions change the price?”

A good answer: It is part of every quote for this kind of work. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does volume of sales change the price?”

A good answer: Numbers decide whether one person can manage it alone. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“How does whether you have previously filed VAT returns change the price?”

A good answer: An unregistered provider does not charge VAT at all. — ask before the quote rather than after.

“What is not included?”

A good answer: VAT Reclaim Assistance — if your business has overpaid VAT, professionals can assist in reclaiming this amount — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a VAT return accountant job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.

“Who insures you, and what is the policy number?”

A good answer: Expect professional indemnity insurance, which the professional bodies require — submission to Revenue Authorities — once the VAT return is prepared, it must be submitted to the relevant tax authority.

“What do I get in writing, and when?”

A good answer: A written scope and a price before the VAT return accountant starts, and an itemised invoice after — preparation of VAT Returns — this includes collecting financial data, sales invoices, and purchase receipts to prepare accurate VAT returns.

Getting the quote right

  • Complexity of your business transactions — it is part of every quote for this kind of work.
  • Volume of sales — numbers decide whether one person can manage it alone.
  • Whether you have previously filed VAT returns — an unregistered provider does not charge VAT at all.
  • Need for additional consultancy — providers quote this separately because it varies so much.
  • In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
  • What is NOT included, named
  • Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
  • The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register

Walk away if

  • They will not talk about it: complexity of your business transactions — it is part of every quote for this kind of work
  • They will not talk about it: volume of sales — numbers decide whether one person can manage it alone
  • They will not talk about it: whether you have previously filed VAT returns — an unregistered provider does not charge VAT at all
  • A price for the VAT return accountant before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
  • Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
  • No written quote, or one that moves once the VAT return accountant has begun
LOW
€100
TYPICAL
€200
HIGH
€400

What a VAT return accountant costs: €100–€400 per return

The figures are for the job, per return, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Annual vat return preparation and Quarterly vat return filing each carry their own band. VAT Returns price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

VAT return accountants near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. Look firstComplexity of your business transactions — it is part of every quote for this kind of work — that is what the VAT return accountant is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
  2. Agree what is being doneVolume of sales — numbers decide whether one person can manage it alone — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
  3. The work itselfWhether you have previously filed VAT returns — an unregistered provider does not charge VAT at all — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
  4. Check it togetherNeed for additional consultancy — providers quote this separately because it varies so much — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the VAT return accountant is still there.
  5. What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, professionals should have relevant qualifications such as being a chartered accountant or tax adviser.

Preparation of VAT Returns
This includes collecting financial data, sales invoices, and purchase receipts to prepare accurate VAT returns.
Submission to Revenue Authorities
Once the VAT return is prepared, it must be submitted to the relevant tax authority.
VAT Reclaim Assistance
If your business has overpaid VAT, professionals can assist in reclaiming this amount.
Consultation on VAT Compliance
Experts can provide advice on VAT compliance and regulations, helping businesses understand their obligations.
Annual VAT Return Preparation
This involves compiling all transaction data for the year to complete the annual VAT return.
VAT Registration Assistance
Guidance through the process of registering your business for VAT with the tax authorities.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the invoice and the paperworkAn itemised invoice with the trader's name, the work and the total — consultation on VAT Compliance — experts can provide advice on VAT compliance and regulations, helping businesses understand their obligations, because it is what a buyer's solicitor, an insurer or a lender asks for long after the VAT return accountant has gone.
Test what was doneVAT Reclaim Assistance — if your business has overpaid VAT, professionals can assist in reclaiming this amount — and something that does not work on the day is theirs to put right there and then.
Ask what the guarantee isOn the workmanship and on the parts, and for how long each one runs — they are usually different. submission to Revenue Authorities — once the VAT return is prepared, it must be submitted to the relevant tax authority — under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 what was agreed is what can be relied on.
Leave the reviewOnly a booked job can be reviewed on Locufy, which is why the score on a VAT return accountant's card means something — preparation of VAT Returns — this includes collecting financial data, sales invoices, and purchase receipts to prepare accurate VAT returns.

STEP 1Say it in writing, firstSay what is wrong and what you want done. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 the work must be carried out with reasonable skill and care, and defective work put right.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyUnder four stars you are asked whether to send it to the provider first; we follow it through. Then review.
STEP 3Escalate to the body that regulates itThere is no register, so the route is the consumer body and, if needed, the courts.
STEP 4Small claimsSmall claims covers €2,000, once you have asked in writing and given them a chance to put it right.

Hiring a VAT return accountant: questions people ask

The cost can vary based on the complexity of your business transactions, the volume of sales and purchases, and whether you have previously filed VAT returns. More complex cases may require additional time and expertise, thus increasing costs.

The duration can depend on the volume of transactions and the preparedness of your financial documents. Typically, a straightforward VAT return can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day to prepare and submit.

While a general accountant can handle VAT returns, it is advisable to use a qualified tax specialist for more complex situations or if you're unsure about compliance. They have the expertise to navigate intricate VAT regulations.

Same-day service may be available, but it typically comes at a premium cost. It’s best to contact providers in advance to check their availability for urgent requests.

Yes, many professionals offer packages that include VAT returns along with other accounting services, which can be more cost-effective. Discuss your needs with the provider to see what packages are available.

VAT return services generally do not include tax planning or advice on other types of taxes. They focus solely on the preparation and submission of VAT returns and may not cover related compliance issues outside of VAT.

MORE GUIDES

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VAT return accountants near you

VAT return accountants in DublinVAT return accountants in CorkVAT return accountants in GalwayVAT return accountants in LimerickAll vat return accountants on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Revenue — agents and advisors
  2. CCPC — your rights when you buy a service
  3. Consumer Rights Act 2022
  4. Courts Service — small claims
  5. Revenue — ACCOUNTANTS' SERVICES — Standard rate
  6. Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
  7. Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only