Emergency tax can cost you €100-€500+ per month in overpaid tax. If you've started a new job and your payslip shows "Emergency Tax" or you're being taxed at 40% on everything, you need to act quickly to stop the overcharging — and claim back what you've already overpaid.
⚠️ Emergency Tax Warning Signs
- "Emergency Tax" or "EMERG" on your payslip
- Tax deducted at 40% on all earnings
- No tax credits being applied
- Take-home pay much lower than expected
What is Emergency Tax?
Emergency tax is a temporary measure applied by employers when they don't have your tax details. This typically happens when:
- You start a new job
- You return to work after time abroad
- You start your first job in Ireland
- Your employer didn't receive your Revenue Payroll Notification (RPN)
It's designed to ensure some tax is collected, but it often results in significant overpayment.
How Much Does Emergency Tax Cost?
Emergency tax operates on a cumulative basis with escalating rates:
💡 Example
A worker earning €45,000/year on emergency tax (week 9+) would pay about €700 more per month in tax than they should. Over 3 months, that's €2,100 in overpaid tax.
End Emergency Tax & Claim Your Refund
We'll sort your tax situation and claim back everything you've overpaid.
Fix My Emergency Tax →No refund, no fee • Average emergency tax refund: €500-€1,500
How Long to Get Emergency Tax Back?
Once your tax situation is corrected:
- Going forward: Your employer will refund through next payslip (within 1-2 weeks)
- Backdated refund: 5-10 working days directly from Revenue
How to Avoid Emergency Tax in Future Jobs
- Ensure your "Jobs & Pensions" record is up to date on Revenue's myAccount
- Give your new employer your PPS Number before your first payday
- Ask your employer to request your RPN from Revenue
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get all my emergency tax back?
Yes. Once your correct tax credits are applied, you'll receive a refund for every euro you overpaid.
I've been on emergency tax for months — what do I do?
Don't worry — you'll get it all back. The longer you've been on emergency tax, the bigger your refund will be. Start your claim now.
My employer says they can't help — what now?
We can help directly. We'll contact Revenue on your behalf, get your tax situation fixed, and claim back your refund.
Stop Losing Money to Emergency Tax
Get your tax situation fixed and claim back what you're owed.
Claim My Emergency Tax Back →