How your PPS number connects to Revenue
Your PPS number is your tax number
In Ireland, your PPS number and your tax number are the same thing. Revenue uses it to track all income you earn, all taxes paid, and all entitlements accrued — across every employer you ever work for in Ireland.
PAYE — Pay As You Earn
When you work for an Irish employer, your employer deducts income tax, USC (Universal Social Charge), and PRSI directly from your wages each time you're paid. This is PAYE. Your employer reports these deductions to Revenue using your PPS number.
PRSI — Pay Related Social Insurance
PRSI contributions build up your social insurance record — which determines your entitlement to state pension, maternity benefit, illness benefit, and jobseeker's benefit. They are tracked under your PPS number for life.
When you start a new job
- 1
Give your employer your PPS number
Your employer needs it to register you with Revenue and add you to payroll. Without it, they must deduct tax at the emergency rate — which is higher than the standard rate.
- 2
Register the job on Revenue MyAccount
Go to myaccount.revenue.ie and register your new job. This ensures your tax credits are allocated correctly and you don't overpay tax.
- 3
Check your tax credits each year
Revenue sends a Tax Credit Certificate to your employer. Log into MyAccount to check your credits are correct — if they're wrong, you may be overpaying or underpaying tax.
Related PPS guides
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