The verdict in three sentences
Automating tax filing in a Dublin accounting firm costs between EUR 25,000 and 60,000 in 2026 depending on the depth of checks. The gain is concentrated in the season: 30 to 50% of time saved during the peak filing period. Fewer overtime hours, fewer transcription errors, and more reliable e-filing on the first pass.
What automation takes over
The chain runs from ledger import to the generation of tax forms. Each automated step removes a source of error and delay. Here are the blocks and their 2026 cost.
| Block | Function | Indicative cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Ledger import & format check | Read, normalise | 6,000 - 10,000 |
| Consistency checks | Balancing, thresholds, anomalies | 8,000 - 15,000 |
| Return & schedule generation | Statutory forms | 7,000 - 14,000 |
| Balance/P&L reconciliation | Automatic cross-checks | 5,000 - 10,000 |
| E-filing connector | Revenue export (ROS/iXBRL) | 4,000 - 9,000 |
A targeted scope (import + checks + generation) fits within EUR 25,000 to 35,000. The full chain with advanced reconciliation and an e-filing connector rises toward EUR 50,000 to 60,000.
The measured impact on busy season
The real issue is not price but time recovered at peak. Here is a before/after for a 12-person firm.
| Metric | Before | After automation |
|---|---|---|
| Average time per return | 4h 30 | 2h 15 |
| Errors caught late | 12% of files | 3% |
| Overtime hours (season) | 900 h | 450 h |
| Average production time | 9 days | 5 days |
| Returns per staff member | 45 | 65 |
At EUR 45/hour loaded cost, 450 overtime hours avoided represents around EUR 20,000 saved in a single season, not counting the extra capacity of 20 returns per staff member.
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Mini case study
Marc runs a 12-person firm in central Dublin. In the 2025 season, his teams logged over 850 overtime hours and two return errors caught after filing. He invests EUR 38,000 in an automation chain (ledger import + checks + generation + e-filing connector). Result in 2026: time per return halved, overtime cut by half, and no significant transcription error. First-season direct savings exceed EUR 22,000, a payback of under two filing seasons.
FAQ
Does automation replace our production software? No. It builds on your existing ledgers and entries; it adds a check and generation layer. You keep your accounting engine if it suits you.
Which consistency checks are automated? Asset/liability balancing, balance sheet vs P&L consistency, VAT thresholds, outlier detection and abnormal year-on-year variations. Each anomaly is flagged with its source line.
How long to set it up? Expect 3 to 5 months: 8 to 10 weeks for import and checks, then generation and the e-filing connector. A first batch of files can be tested by week 8.
Is the e-filing connector reliable? Yes, the standard export is well defined. Automation reduces rejections by validating consistency before submission, limiting back-and-forth with Revenue.
What realistic gain in year one? Between 30 and 50% of time on automated tasks, concentrated in the season. For a 12-person firm, that commonly means 400 to 500 hours and EUR 18,000 to 25,000 saved.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your production software, return volumes and busy-season bottlenecks, and we'll scope a build between EUR 25,000 and 60,000. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
