Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Revenue is NOT snooping on your Facebook page

But they are still tracking tax dodgers. Here’s how.

THE REVENUE COMMISSIONERS have said that the hi-tech methods employed to track tax dodging should not be confused with simply creeping on Facebook.

The Finance Minister yesterday revealed that tax evasion was being tracked through “social network analysis”. However, the Revenue Commissioners say that that goes beyond looking to see if you have a picture of a shiny new car on your Facebook.

A spokesperson told TheJournal.ie that the office was moving with the times to catch those who avoided tax.

“In an increasingly digitalised economy, Revenue uses all the tools available to identify and target non-compliance risks. Using advanced IT system we assess risks, whether at a transactional, individual taxpayer or business sector level, and from that we determine the type of compliance intervention that best addresses the risk”.

The spokesperson added that there are four key approaches.

Social Network Analysis:

“A recent addition to Revenue’s risk evaluation approach is Social Network Analysis. This approach should not be confused Twitter or Facebook!

This technology uses our own data and other data available to Revenue to identify links and relationships between individuals and businesses.

In essence SNA allows complex networks of individuals and businesses to be easily visualised and understood.”

Risk, Evaluation, Analysis and Profiling system (REAP):

“REAP cross-checks and interrogates all the various data sources we have available on individual taxpayers and businesses, and risk ranks the taxpayer population, automatically highlighting the particular issues that need to be examined in the context of Revenue’s tax compliance activities.”

Real-Time Risk Analytics

“Real-time risk analytics ensure that transactions are risk assessed in real time i.e. as the transactions are processed.

A combination of predictive models and specific business rules are applied to transactions and behaviours, to identify compliance risks such as fraudulent refund or repayment claims.

Predictive Analytics

“Revenue is also developing and maintaining other predictive models using advanced data mining techniques. These models are used to identify risky cases by analysing historical risk indicators and then predicting the future behaviour of cases. The models are used for case selection and decision support.”

Read: Revenue using social networks to catch tax dodgers

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
19 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Walsh
    Favourite Shane Walsh
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 9:18 AM

    Not good at all! I look forward to the day when we start seeing these major corporations taking on people rather than letting them go.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mcbab
    Favourite mcbab
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 9:26 AM

    Did you not hear the announcement from Intel about their expansion? Take note Journal.ie.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 9:58 AM

    Just remember folks these are the same guys urging a yes vote, who ll cut jobs here and drop us in an instant just to save a few cent. NOT the type of people whose opinion should be trusted on sovereign affairs! Deeply sad news, let’s hope the loss of jobs here is small.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 11:21 AM

    This is just to do with supply and demand, HP is going down as it has not diversified to meet the competition.. The saved money may be invested back into the company and hopefully improve it..

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmaid Twomey
    Favourite Diarmaid Twomey
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 12:20 PM

    So would it be fair to say that supply and demand will remain the same regardless of whether we are on board this packed metaphorical train? If that’s the case, and as you point out below, Irelands democratic wish won’t make a blind bit of notice to FDI investment and retraction in Ireland? More spoof so from Yes side?

    3
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 3:03 PM

    Well your right there about FDI whether we vote yes or no, no difference,

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Siobhan Shove On Lynch
    Favourite Siobhan Shove On Lynch
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 11:19 AM

    There “hiring” alright, 40+ hrs a week for unpaid “work experience”.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jason Moore
    Favourite Jason Moore
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 5:27 PM

    Jesus can we have one story were someone doesn’t bring up the stability treaty or government.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Moran
    Favourite Patrick Moran
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 9:27 AM

    This is bad news. But am I crazy or did I recently read somewhere that HP were actually taking on staff ??

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Virgil Sollozzo
    Favourite Virgil Sollozzo
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 9:55 AM

    They seem to hire a lot of their engineers etc through a independent subsidiary called HP CDS this allows them to offer lower terms and less benefits as opposed to normal HP engineers.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tomas O Beag
    Favourite Tomas O Beag
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 11:30 AM

    Stability !!!! Yeah right.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter
    Favourite Peter
    Report
    May 24th 2012, 12:07 PM

    This has nothing to do with the treaty.. If industry X goes bust it’s because of the market shifts

    12
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds