On April 24 and 25 we returned to Galway for the 2026 Annual Conference which was aptly titled ‘Navigating Complexity’. The conference, attended by some 400 Chartered Tax Advisers (CTAs), was opened by Institute President Shane Wallace who acknowledged the pressure CTAs are under.
“None of us practises tax in a vacuum, and the world in which we operate has rarely felt more uncertain. For many of our clients — multinational organisations, SMEs engaged in international trade, those impacted by the volatility of the energy and transportation sectors — this instability is almost becoming normal. And this places enormous demands on the advisers in this room.”
Friday kicked off with discussions on tax considerations for Irish real estate development and investment, and an update on VAT on property. This was followed by sessions on partnership law, key CGT and CAT reliefs for SMEs and family businesses. Updates were provided on the changes to the R&D Tax Credit and the recently published R&D Compass as well as the new pension auto-enrolment process. The afternoon closed with a discussion on AI and technology in tax and practical information on engaging with Revenue and compliance interventions.
An optional lunchtime wellness session with CTA and registered dietician Jill Leavy on nutrition for working life provided useful tips on how to beat the infamous 3pm slump.
On Saturday morning we heard about current trends in employment taxation, pragmatic cybersecurity steps for CTAs and key determinations from the Tax Appeals Commission, before President Shane Wallace wrapped up the event and thanked everyone for their participation.
Each year the numbers attending the Annual Conference continues to grow with feedback surveys from attendees highlighting the practical sessions and unique networking opportunities as key benefits.
For anyone wishing to have a look, the events photos are on Flickr. We hope to see you again next year.
Save the Date - 16 & 17 April 2027
Join us again in The Galmont, Galway for Annual Conference 2027 on 16 and 17 April 2027.
