Irish Payroll

When you work in Ireland, your Irish payroll, the system that calculates your pay, taxes, and deductions each week or month. Also known as payroll processing, it’s not just about how much you earn—it’s about what you actually get to keep after tax, PRSI, and USC. Unlike some countries where pay is simple, Ireland’s system has layers: your employer must follow strict rules set by Revenue, and you’re entitled to a P60, payslip, and correct tax credits every year.

Most people in Ireland are on the PAYE system, Pay As You Earn, the standard way taxes are collected from employees. That means your employer takes income tax, PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance), and USC (Universal Social Charge) straight from your pay before you see it. If you’re on a fixed contract, your payroll should match your tax credit certificate. If it doesn’t, you’re likely overpaying—or worse, underpaying and risking a bill later. Many workers don’t realize they can check their tax credits online via myAccount, or that they might qualify for tax relief on things like pensions, medical expenses, or even union dues.

Then there’s employee rights Ireland, the legal protections that ensure fair pay, breaks, and protection from unfair deductions. Your employer can’t just reduce your pay without notice. You’re entitled to at least the national minimum wage (€12.70/hour as of 2024), paid annual leave, and sick pay under the new Sick Leave Act. If you’re paid weekly, your payslip must list gross pay, all deductions, and net pay. If you’re paid monthly, you still get the same rights. And if you’re on zero-hours contracts or agency work? You still have rights—your pay must still be calculated correctly, and you can’t be forced to work without pay.

Payroll isn’t just about numbers—it’s about fairness. A lot of people in Ireland, especially those new to the workforce or working part-time, don’t know they’re being underpaid because they don’t check their payslips. Others get confused by tax codes, especially if they’ve changed jobs or moved from another country. The key is to know what’s normal: if your net pay drops suddenly without explanation, or if your tax credits don’t match your situation, ask. Your employer has to explain it. And if they don’t, you can contact Revenue directly.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of payroll software or how to run a business. It’s real stories from Irish workers—how they figured out their tax code, why their payslip didn’t match their contract, how they reclaimed overpaid tax, and what they wish they’d known sooner. Whether you’re a student working part-time, a nurse on a shift roster, or a delivery driver paid weekly, these posts break down the confusing parts of Irish payroll in plain language. No jargon. No fluff. Just what you need to know to make sure you’re getting every euro you’re owed.