Ireland: Complaints about an adviser

A complaint works best when it goes to the right place in the right order, in writing, with the engagement letter and the correspondence attached. Take advice before you start if the claim itself is in doubt, because a complaint about the adviser and a correction of the return are separate matters with separate deadlines; the when things go wrong pages cover the second.

Put the complaint to the firm in writing first: what was agreed, what happened and what you want done. A professional body will want to see that record, and it is what every later step rests on. The fee disputes page covers what to do about a disputed invoice while the complaint runs.

If the adviser belongs to a professional body, that body's complaints process is the next step. Check membership first using the credentials page.

• Chartered Accountants Ireland takes complaints about its members by post to its Professional Conduct Department, by email or through its online form.1Source 1Chartered Accountants Ireland, Make a complaint.
• The Irish Tax Institute has appointed the Taxation Disciplinary Board to review complaints against its members, which can cover breaches of professional standards, inadequate professional service and conduct unbefitting a professional person. Complaints go on its formal complaint form with supporting documents, by email or by post, within 12 months of the events. The Institute says it cannot offer legal advice or intervene in fee disputes.2Source 2Irish Tax Institute, Guidance for the public: making a complaint.

Other bodies have their own processes; ask the adviser which body applies.

Revenue publishes guidelines for agents and advisers acting on behalf of taxpayers, which set out what it expects of them. The same guidelines say that Revenue does not approve agents or advisers and that a TAIN is not an endorsement.3Source 3Revenue, Tax and Duty Manual Part 37-00-04b, Guidelines for Agents or Advisors acting on behalf of taxpayers (September 2026). The guidelines set out what Revenue expects of agents; the Revenue pages read for this page describe no complaints route for clients about an adviser, and a complaint to Revenue about an adviser is not a way to correct your own return. If your own claim is in doubt, the your responsibility page sets out the correction routes, and the correcting a claim page says what to settle first.

A complaint to a professional body can lead to discipline of the member. It does not change the company's own tax position, which is decided by the return and any compliance intervention, and it does not recover a fee: the Irish Tax Institute says in terms that it cannot intervene in fee disputes.2Source 2Irish Tax Institute, Guidance for the public: making a complaint. A fee dispute is a contract matter between you and the firm, and the engagement letter is where it is decided; take legal advice before withholding any payment.

• Complaints about an adviser in general terms, and fee disputes
• Checking an adviser's credentials and if your claim is reviewed in Ireland
• Switching advisers

Sources

1. Chartered Accountants Ireland, Make a complaint.  Back
2. Irish Tax Institute, Guidance for the public: making a complaint.   Back
3. Revenue, Tax and Duty Manual Part 37-00-04b, Guidelines for Agents or Advisors acting on behalf of taxpayers (September 2026).  Back