FIS Annual Leaders Forum: Key Provisions for Sport in the Finance Act

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OSK was delighted to attend the 2025 Federation of Irish Sport Annual Leaders Forum, Informing & Empowering Leaders & Decision Makers in Sport, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown. This key event brings together leaders in Irish sport, government, and finance to discuss important updates and strategies shaping the sector's future.

The forum provided a valuable opportunity to connect and learn about measures to grow financial stability through reforms to tax exemptions, charitable donations and loan financing

Liam Smith from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners delivered a detailed presentation on Finance Act provisions relevant to sport, covering eligibility, qualifying projects, donation tax relief, and governance requirements. The key points highlighted were:

• Changes from 1 January 2025 to sporting bodies tax exemption and relief for donations to sporting bodies and the opportunities it offers in the Finance Act 2024 for recognised NGBs who have a 235 exemption.
• Main sporting bodies tax exemption (section 235 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - TCA)
• New exemption for certain national governing bodies (s 235A TCA)
• Relief for donations to sporting bodies (s 847A TCA)
• Changes to s 847A TCA from 1 January 2025
• New relief for donations to national governing bodies for certain projects (s 847AA TCA)

Principal Officer from the Department of Sport Micheál Ó Conaire highlighted the 8 Thematic Areas for action plan 2024 – 2027 namely: Investment in Sport 2025 budget for Sports & Recreation Services is €230m (NSP doubling of funding target hit ahead of schedule, €256 million CSFF, €173m LSSIF), Active and Social Participation, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Facilities and Events, Sport and Education, Sport and Sustainability, Governance and Capacity Building and International.

Mary O’Connor, CEO of the Federation of Irish Sport, said: "The Annual Leaders Forum is a vital moment for Ireland’s sporting community to come together, share ideas, and forge stronger collaborations. We are thrilled to have such a strong representation from our members here today to ensure they are informed on important matters that are relevant to them now and in the future. As we enter 2025, it is more important than ever to focus on financial, equality, and sustainable growth in sport."

Deirdre McDermott, Audit Partner in OSK, commented, “We are very pleased to support the Federation of Irish Sport and we welcome the positive changes to the Finance Act provisions, which will greatly benefit sports organisations by enhancing financial sustainability and growth.”

Pictured above are Mary O'Connor, CEO, The Federation of Irish Sport, Aideen McGinn, Marketing Director, OSK and Clare Louise O'Donoghue, Head of Commercial & Marketing, The Federation of Irish Sport

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