Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 section 908A

Revenue offence: power to obtain information from financial institutions

Section 908A sets out the powers of an authorised Revenue officer to obtain information from financial institutions for the purpose of investigating revenue offences, and the rules governing the use of copies of financial records as evidence in legal proceedings.

• An authorised officer may apply to a Circuit Court or District Court judge for an order to inspect and copy records held by a financial institution, provided a Revenue Commissioner has given written consent
• The judge must be satisfied there are reasonable grounds to suspect a tax offence causing serious prejudice to the assessment or collection of tax, and that the institution holds material of substantial value to the investigation
• Financial institutions covered include licensed banks, building societies, credit unions, the Post Office Savings Bank, friendly societies, industrial and provident societies, and European credit institutions authorised to operate in Ireland
• Copies of entries in a financial institution's records may be admitted as prima facie evidence in legal proceedings, provided the copies are properly verified and proof of verification is given orally or by sworn affidavit