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IRELAND COMPANY FORMATION
Ireland Incorporation Guide
Corporate tax:
12.5% (Non-operating profit tax rate: 25%)
Capital gains tax (transfer tax, etc.):
33% (40% for profits outside the European Economic Area)
*Exemption clause or 10% tax rate may be applied in some cases
Dividend tax:
No local dividend tax, subject to the tax law having jurisdiction over the shareholder's residence
Dividends received from the EU or treaty countries may be taxed at a rate of 12.5%, and dividends may be exempt from tax if the company holds 5% or less of its share capital and voting rights.
Tax Credits and Incentives:
There is a 25% tax credit on eligible R&D expenses, resulting in an effective tax credit of 37.5% in total, plus a 6.27% corporate tax rate on certain profits derived from assets derived from R&D initiatives under the Knowledge Development Policy. Certain start-ups are subject to the total amount of corporate tax due each year not exceeding EUR 40,000.
You can enjoy tax relief for 3 years.
The Intellectual Property Scheme provides tax credits on capital expenditures incurred by a company on the acquisition of qualifying IP assets, such as patents and registered designs, trademarks, know-how, domain names, copyrights, and service marks, and capital deductions accruing from qualifying IP assets. can be offset against income from eligible IP assets, with up to 80% of IP derived gains deducted. The remaining 20% is 12.5% based on the taxes performed by the company. Corporate tax is levied.
Establishment Requirements:
1. Minimum 1 share/minimum capital of 0.01 Euro
2. At least one natural person must be listed as a director, and at least one director must be a resident of the European Economic Area
3. If the requirements of item 2 above are not met, 25,000 euros must be deposited in the company registration office.
4. At least one secretary must be registered, and the director can concurrently serve.
However, if there is only one director, a separate person must be registered as the secretary.
5. Must have a registered address of business in Ireland
^ Ireland requires that you register at least one EEA (European Economic Area) resident as a director in accordance with local regulations, or purchase a bond with a liability limit of EUR 25,000. This bond serves as insurance, requiring registration in case claims or fines are imposed on a non-EEA resident operating an Irish company, and the director is unable to resolve them or cannot be contacted. Therefore, you may either hire and register a local director or purchase the bond as an alternative to appointing a local director.
Requirements for annual maintenance:
1. Annual General Meeting (AGM) must be held annually or a written resolution must be made
2. Annual report and audit report must be made every year
3. You must file a tax return within 9 months from the date of settlement, and the amount of tax can be paid in one lump sum or in two installments
Conditions for exemption from annual auditing obligations (if two or more of the following apply):
1. Total assets in the statement of financial position are less than 6 million euros
2. Sales of less than 12 million euros
3. Less than 50 employees
Incorporation and 1 year service fee:
USD 3,100
Included:
-Registration of incorporation and government fees.
-Preparation and submission of the company standard articles of incorporation.
-Provide certificate of incorporation and registered articles of incorporation.
-Resolution on Audit Waiver (if applicable).
-Preparation of minutes of the inaugural general meeting of shareholders and directors.
-Filling out the register of shareholders and directors.
-Write a stock certificate.
-Appointment and registration of local manager residing in Ireland (1 year).
-Registered address service 1 year.
-Corporate tax and VAT registration.
-Obtain an EORI number (if necessary).
-Certified copies of corporate documents.
Ireland Local Director Registration Service for 1 Year:
USD 5,500
Service Includes:
Registration of one Ireland local director in the corporate documents in accordance with Ireland local regulations
Additional Appointment of Ireland Local Director for 1 Year:
USD 2,500
*Enhances Irish tax residency status (e.g., mitigates deemed dividend issues under Article 27 of the Republic of Korea's International Tax Adjustment Act), enables remote account opening, and secures tax treaty benefits.
Service Inclusions:
1. Signing corporate documents
2. Ensuring the company consistently complies with local regulations
3. Managing corporate documents and legal registry
4. Maintaining accounting records
5. Liaison with local banks
6. Preparation of annual accounts and tax returns (equivalent to USD1,200 if provided as a separate service)
Ireland Bank Account Opening:
USD1,200
Annual Company Renewal Fee:
USD2,500
Included Services:
1. Annual Return (Form B1)
2. Annual company secretary registration and corporate secretary services
3. Annual registered address and mail handling services
4. Annual General Meeting (AGM) documentation preparation
Additional Services (Quoted Separately):
1. Local office leasing and related services
2. Employment permits for non-EU residents
Requirements and required documents for incorporation:
1. A copy of the shareholder/director's passport
2. Original fact authentication for the passport copy of the shareholder/director
- Korean passport: English passport copy certificate (issued by the ward office) ( View sample )
- Passport from other countries: Certified True Copy or Notarial Certificate ( see sample )
3. Two types of documents for the most recent (within 3 months) address in English for shareholders/directors (however, the address must be the same)
- Residency in Korea: English certified copy (community center) + Scan the front/back of the driver’s license ( View sample )
- Residence in another country: Utility Bill + Bank Statement (or equivalent official document) ( View sample )
4. Fill out the application for incorporation
*If you wish to open an account after establishment, please contact us in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the corporate tax rates in Ireland?
Trading income is taxed at 12.5%; non-trading (passive) income at 25%. Capital gains tax is 33% (or 40% for gains from outside the EEA). Dividends aren’t taxed locally in Ireland but may be taxed based on the shareholder’s jurisdiction; dividends from EU/treaty countries can be taxed at 12.5%, and may be exempt if the company holds ≤5% of share capital and voting rights.
2. What tax incentives can companies get?
There’s a 25% R&D tax credit (effective 37.5% when combined), a 6.27% corporate tax rate for certain profits under the Knowledge Development Box/Policy, and startup corporate tax relief for three years where annual corporation tax due is ≤ EUR 40,000.
3. How does the IP (Intellectual Property) scheme work?
Capital expenditure on eligible IP (patents, designs, trademarks, know-how, domain names, copyrights, service marks) can get tax credits; up to 80% of IP-derived gains may be deductible. The remaining 20% is taxed at 12.5%.
4. What are the incorporation requirements?
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Minimum 1 share; minimum capital €0.01
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At least one natural-person director, with at least one EEA-resident director; otherwise lodge a €25,000 bond
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At least one company secretary (cannot be the same person if there is only one director)
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Irish registered office address required.
5. What annual compliance is required (and when is audit exempt)?
Hold an AGM or written resolution annually, prepare annual report & audit report, and file tax return within 9 months of year-end (tax payable in one or two instalments). Audit can be exempt if at least 2 of 3 are met: assets < €6m, turnover < €12m, < 50 employees.
6. What are the fees and required documents?
Fees
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Ireland Local Director Service (1 year): USD 5,500
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Additional Appointment of Local Director (1 year): USD 2,500
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Annual Company Renewal Fee (from 2nd year): USD 2,500
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Irish bank account opening: USD 1,200
Required Documents
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Passport copy of each shareholder/director (certified or notarized)
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Two recent (≤3 months) proof-of-address documents in English (same residential address)
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Completed incorporation application forms
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