As a result of the launch of the PAYE online self-service last year employees can now request a review of their tax affairs and claim tax back over the Internet. The PAYE Self-service online is available on the Revenue website and enables PAYE customers to register for authentication through Reachservice's the Government's Public Service Broker (PSB) to access the new services.

PAYE taxpayers can now conduct their business with Revenue over the Internet at a time and place of their choosing.

There are two Internet options available to users of the new service, a full Internet service and a limited Internet service.

The full Internet service is clearly the best option and it allows taxpayers to view their personal tax record and to add, amend or delete those tax credits and incomes. The typical tax credits that the ordinary PAYE customer would claim include medical expenses, bin charges, trade union subscriptions, dependant relative, rent, flat rate expenses, home carer. It also allows for the allocation of credits between spouses, updating of personal information such as change of address, request of a review for a previous tax year. The service also allows the customer to check on progress of correspondence with Revenue.

When a PAYE customer has registered for the full service and received their Revenue PIN, they will be able to use all PAYE online self-service options To avail of the limited Internet service a customer need only input their Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) and their Revenue PIN.

The customer logs in to this service on ROS at www. revenue. ie. This gives them a limited version of the PAYE On-Line service which will allow the taxpayer to claim a small number of tax credits, notify Revenue of a change of address, and track the progress of written correspondence with Revenue. The seven separate tax credits they can claim using this limited service are the Refuse Charge Credit, the Home Carers Credit, Trade Union Subscriptions Credit, Age Credit, Rent on Private Accommodation, Flat Rate Expenses and Dependant Relative Credit.

SMS Service The PAYE public can also use our text service to carry on business with us. This service, which is proving very popular with the younger generation, also allows people to claim tax credits, change their address, order forms and leaflets and check on the progress of correspondence with Revenue all by using their mobile phone. It is easy to access. The customer inputs their Revenue PIN and their PPSN to claim a tax credit.

The roll out of the new PAYE selfservices was a major initiative and investment by Revenue in improving the service to our customers.

Revenue has put significant time and resource into modernising the PAYE computer systems and contact channels. With these new systems in place we have a service available to customers that is far more efficient and effective than the old traditional means of form filling, corresponding, personal visits or phone contacts. We have plenty of "good new stories" from the public on the speed and efficiency of the new PAYE online services with people receiving refunds within days of having requested a tax review.

Over recent months Revenue carried out TV and Radio campaigns to make people aware of their entitlements and encouraging them to use the self-services options to claim their tax refunds. The Revenue Commissioners refunded more than EUR820 million to PAYE workers who overpaid tax over the past two years. It is important that people are aware of their entitlements and claim what they are due. Revenue will do all in its power to ensure that this happens.

Traditionally at this time of year Revenue receives a huge volume of enquiries from the PAYE population and this stretches our resources to the fullest extent. Therefore, Revenue wants to encourage as much use of these self -service channels as is possible. While it is still early days in terms of the use of these services the signs are encouraging with almost 120,000 PAYE self-service transactions carried our so far in 2007.

You can find out more about the various options if you select PAYE Self Service at www. revenue. ie.