Credit where it’s due
Social media has played a key role in helping to drive the growth of Kildare-based online service provider Irish Tax Rebates
With an efficient, straightforward customer service that reflects its website’s strapline, ‘Keep it simple: no rebate, no fee’, Irish Tax Rebates has grown significantly over the past eight years.
Martin Brennan started this Kildare based company at the height of the financial crisis when the difficulties of self-employed people impacted on his business. Starting with one customer looking to determine if they were due any tax back, the business now has 150,000 customers. It currently employs 17 people, with plans to take on another 10 over the next year.
Brennan attributes the success of the company to its use of social media to reach out to existing and potential customers. He believes it uses social media, particularly Facebook, more extensively than other similar companies to promote the service. “Our quick and flexible response to client reaction on Facebook has allowed us to rapidly tailor our services to best address customer needs,” he says.
Customers contact the company by phone or online and can use the live chat option. Such ease of access is then bolstered by the commitment to an efficient turnaround, with clients provided with an answer within seven days. To reach this goal, Irish Tax Rebates operates on the principle that a query or claim received must be processed on the same day.
The focus on customer service has paid off with business coming in mainly via social media; from referrals from happy customers and lots of return business each year. Brennan is happy the company’s motto of ‘the highest rebate at the lowest fee in Ireland’ still pertains. “Our policy of charging about 7% per rebate received has been successful and no fee is charged where the rebate is unsuccessful. In Ireland, people are often unaware of rebates due to them, so Irish Tax Rebates generally delivers happy news to clients.”
Customers are from all walks of life, including senior executives of large international companies headquartered in Dublin, nursing staff, builders and students. There is now a sister company, Self-employed.ie to deal with clients who work for themselves and/or who may be due rebates on anything from rental income to share options.
This homegrown business is based in Athy and late last year moved into a large car dealership in the town, converted into a modern office. Brennan notes that the location is perfect given the reduced costs compared to having premises in Dublin and the virtual nature of the business.
“Our policy of charging about 7% per rebate received has been successful and no fee is charged where the rebate is unsuccessful”