THE Revenue Commissioners annual report isn't all about tax defaulters, cigarette smuggling and mobile phones. It includes several fascinating pieces of information, useful for pub quizzes even.
For example, did you know that the legislation on keeping a horse was only removed from the Finance Act this year, as part of the consolidation of the taxes Acts?
According to the Revenue, when income tax began, the horse was the predominant mode of transport and this was reflected in a reference in the tax rules for "Schedule E" to the "Keeping and maintaining of a horse".
The report also informs readers that the first motor car imported into Ireland was probably the Benz Velo Comfortable, built in 1896-1897 and bought by Dr J.P. Colohan, of Dublin. The car is still being driven, according to the Revenue. Among the first cars to be registered in Ireland - and still surviving, had the registration number M1-1. It was registered in Co Wexford.
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