The Government income tax take in January was 10 per cent lower than last January, Exchequer figures released today show.
The figures also reveal that the amount of income tax collected by the State last month was 15 per cent lower than January 2001.
Receipts from customs, excise duties, capital taxes, and corporation taxes were all lower than expected during January, the figures show.
However, VAT soared by 30 per cent compared with January 2002 because of two VAT increases over the past 12 months as well as strong retail sales over Christmas.
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The Exchequer Returns show a €284 million at the end of January, €100 million lower last year.