Mayo GAA issued second voluntary disclosure to Revenue Commissioners
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Mayo GAA issued a second voluntary disclosure to the Revenue Commissioners, it was revealed at their county convention on Wednesday night.
County chairman Seamus Tuohy informed delegates in Ballina that they had submitted the money, believed to be a six-figure sum, for four years – 2020 to ’23.
The amount pertains to “potential tax liabilities on expenses payments made to management, coaching staff, and referees as well as other player costs during those years”.
Last year, Mayo made a first disclosure of €119,778 but as the reported last week that was not accepted by Revenue.
Tuohy assured delegates Mayo’s finances were strong enough to “cover any outstanding liabilities that may arise from the engagement with Revenue”.
It was revealed at the meeting that Mayo GAA experienced a surplus of €78,442, a considerable decrease from the €776,357 profit in 2023.
He added the board will shortly undertake its own review of how expenses are claimed and approved and stressed the potential tax liability relating to expenses raised in the risk reviews by Revenue do not solely relate to Mayo GAA. Galway and Wexford are subject to audits at present.
Tuohy attempted to reassure referees whose expenses at national level are being examined for potential tax liability.
“I know that many referees are concerned about what this will mean for the expenses payments they receive for officiating a match, but I am confident we will arrive at a settlement with Revenue on this.
“Our target is to clear up some of the grey areas on expense payments and we should have clear guidelines in the New Year.”
He also suggested the days of volunteers being charged with administrating boards, many of which report turnovers in the millions, could soon be over.
“The days of running a County Board solely with the support of volunteers may be coming to an end. It’s something we seriously have to look at.
“Practically, every County Board in Ireland now operates a multimillion-euro budget, and the demands of serving as a County Board officer are becoming unsustainable. I think there is a need for more professional support in the running of our County Boards, particularly on the commercial side.”
Tuohy confirmed Mayo GAA will be developing plans for its new €15 million-plus centre of excellence in Bohola, close to the N5 between Castlebar and Swinford. The facility is set to feature four playing pitches and a gym, built on a piece of land donated by Bill Durcan.
“This is something we in Mayo GAA will be eternally grateful for. A Centre of Excellence can be the most exciting project ever undertaken by Mayo GAA and who is to say it won’t prove to be the missing brick in our ultimate dream for this county since 1951,” Tuohy remarked.
A new commercial manager is to be appointed with the aim of generating funds for the centre of excellence as well as sourcing new sponsorships and grants.