Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 section 211

Friendly societies

Section 211 provides for exemption from income tax for friendly societies, both registered and unregistered, subject to certain conditions regarding their purpose, activities and assurance limits.

• An unregistered friendly society with income not exceeding €205 is exempt from income tax; a registered friendly society that cannot assure more than €1,270 as a lump sum or €70 per year as an annuity is exempt under Schedules C, D and F.
• A registered friendly society must have been established solely for the purposes set out in the Friendly Societies Act 1896 and must not have engaged in trading activities (other than member insurance) for profit.
• Revenue will consider evidence submitted by the society and, if aggrieved by their determination, the society may appeal to the Appeal Commissioners within 30 days.
• All exemption claims must be verified by affidavit, and any person making a false claim in respect of Schedule C income must forfeit €125.