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Accounting for newcomers to Ireland, in plain English

An accountant who explains it, instead of just processing it

New to Ireland and still working out your PPS Number, your tax credits, or what your permit actually allows? We walk you through your first Irish tax return in plain English, and tell you honestly what applies to your situation.

Registered Tax Agent with Revenue (TAIN)
We explain every step in plain English
WhatsApp first, evenings and weekends
No judgment, we help you get organised
Free initial guidance
Founded by an immigrant accountant in Ireland
Your data protected, hosted in the EU

I just arrived and don't know where to start

If you're new to Ireland and still figuring out your PPS Number, Revenue MyAccount, and what you actually owe, we start with the basics, at your pace.

I'm on a work permit and want to know what self-employment I'm allowed to do

If you're not sure whether your visa or work permit allows you to freelance or register as self-employed, we check the conditions before you take any step.

My current accountant doesn't explain things clearly

If you already have an accountant but keep getting answers you don't understand, we can take over and explain everything in plain English going forward.

How your first engagement with us works

1

Tell us where you're starting from

A WhatsApp conversation about your permit, your employment status, and what's confusing so far. No forms, no jargon.

2

We check what actually applies to you

We confirm your PPS Number status, whether you need Revenue MyAccount or ROS, and what your permit allows before recommending anything.

3

We register and set you up

PPS Number guidance, Revenue registration, and your first Irish tax return, handled with you, not dumped on you.

4

Ongoing support in plain English

After the first return, we keep track of your deadlines and explain anything that comes up, for as long as you need us.

What makes the first year in Ireland confusing

Most of the confusion in your first year isn't about you. It's that several new systems all arrive at once:

  • Getting a PPS Number before you can be paid correctly or register for anything with Revenue
  • Working out whether you're taxed as a PAYE employee, as self-employed, or both in the same year
  • Setting up Revenue MyAccount (for PAYE income) or ROS (for self-employed income) so you can see your own tax record
  • Knowing which tax credits you're entitled to, since nobody applies them for you automatically

None of this is obvious the first time, in any language. We walk through it with you and tell you what actually applies to your situation, not a generic checklist.

Permit-aware advice, not a blanket promise

Whether you can register as self-employed or open a limited company depends entirely on your specific immigration permission, not on your nationality or your job title. A few examples of permits we're regularly asked about:

  • Critical Skills Employment Permit
  • Stamp 4
  • EU Treaty Rights
  • Student permissions and other short-term permits

Each of these comes with its own conditions, and the rules can change. We never assume a permit allows self-employment just because it sounds like it should. We check your specific permission before you register anything, and you can always confirm the general rules yourself on citizensinformation.ie.

Start with a free initial conversation

Tell us your situation, your permit, and what's confusing so far. We look at your actual circumstances, not a generic checklist, and tell you the next step before anything is billed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get your PPS Number, then set up Revenue MyAccount so you can see your own tax record. If you already have income coming in, tell us your employment status and we will confirm exactly what needs to be registered before your first payslip or invoice.
No. ARAN was founded to serve the Brazilian community, but we work with clients from many countries in English every day. You will always get clear, plain English explanations, whether or not you speak any Portuguese at all.
We work with clients of many nationalities, including Brazilian, Chinese, Mongolian, Malaysian, Chilean, Paraguayan, Costa Rican, Indian, Filipino, and Pakistani, among many others. Whether you can register as self-employed depends on your specific permit, so we check that first, and you can confirm the general rules on citizensinformation.ie.
It depends entirely on your specific permit, whether that's a Critical Skills Permit, Stamp 4, EU Treaty Rights, or something else. Some permits allow it, some don't, and conditions can change. Check citizensinformation.ie or ask us before you register, so you don't put your permission to remain at risk.
Yes. This is one of the most common questions we get from newcomers. Send us a photo of your payslip on WhatsApp and we will explain what each line means and whether your tax credits look right, in plain English.
Yes, switching accountants is straightforward. We request the files and access we need from your current accountant, review your position, and take over from the next deadline, explaining every step along the way instead of leaving you guessing.

By Rafael Arantes, Registered Tax Agent (TAIN), founder of ARAN Accounting. Updated 8/24/2026.

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Accountant for Immigrants in Ireland | ARAN Accounting