THE DEPARTMENT OF Social Protection is now sharing information with the Revenue Commissioners on Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit.

The payments have always been subject to income tax, but it was previously self-declared.

Speaking to The Journal, the Department confirmed today that the data sharing arrangement came into effect 1 January 2026.

It said: “Payment data is shared in the interest of good customer service and to ensure that individuals can keep their tax affairs up to date and avoid any surprise taxation demands.

“In effect, it removes the administrative burden from carers and simplifies the taxation process.”

The Department confirmed that it has not supplied historical or past-year payment information on Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit to Revenue.

“The provision of real-time information to Revenue from 1 January 2026 is a forward-looking arrangement,” it said.

“If Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit is a person’s only source of income, they are unlikely to have to pay tax. This is because their tax liability may not exceed their tax credits.”

Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness raised the change with the Taoiseach in the Dáil.

“Is it possible to exclude Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance as an income?” he asked.

“These are carers, it’s not an earning for them.”

Micheál Martin said he would look into the matter further.

“Taxation law and framework covers all income earners, and you’re taxed if your income goes above a certain threshold,” he added.

With reporting from Jane Matthews