Fast 

Tax

 
Overview

FastTax is an Irish online tax return service focused on helping users complete and file Form 11 tax
returns more easily than through ROS alone. The platform supports self-employed individuals, small
landlords, PAYE workers with extra income and other users with more complex annual filing needs.
 

iWorks became involved with the platform in or around 2016. After initially working with an inherited
functional system, iWorks later rebuilt the platform from the ground up, keeping the familiar user logic
and flow while replacing the underlying codebase, database structure and technical architecture.

 
The Challenge

Online tax filing is a rules-heavy process with a large number of possible income types, deductions,
credits and filing scenarios. The challenge was to provide users with a structured, approachable
experience while still supporting the breadth and accuracy required for real Revenue submissions.

The platform also had to work within the constraints of Revenue ROS integration, where schemas and
technical requirements can change over time. This meant the solution needed to be robust, maintainable
and adaptable while continuing to offer a smooth user experience.
 

The Solution

 
iWorks rebuilt the system as a bespoke guided tax return platform with a separate administrative control
panel. The result is a multi-layered solution supporting customer self-service, staff review workflows,
Revenue data handling and structured output generation.
 

Customer Platform

• guided Form 11 workflow
• fixed step-by-step structure with user-controlled section enablement
• support for approximately 100 income, deduction and credit modules
• live tax calculator as the return is being completed
• multiple plan options with different support levels
• new customer signup and existing customer upgrade flows
   

Administrative Platform

• user account management
• year-by-year plan management
• completion tracking and status oversight
• agent-link workflow support
• review and approval process for higher-tier plans
• email reminders and notifications
• reporting, dashboards and user statistics
• direct access into live and test customer accounts for support
   

Key Features

 
Guided Form 11 Workflow

The platform breaks down a complex filing process into a structured sequence of screens. Users can
enable only the sections relevant to them, such as self-employed income, rental income, bank interest,
shares or other tax-related categories, while leaving irrelevant sections disabled.
 

Revenue ROS Integration

FastTax can act as agent for clients, allowing relevant Revenue data to be pulled into the system once
the required relationship is in place. This helps users get started more quickly by importing available
ROS information rather than requiring everything to be entered manually.
 

ROS Data Import

Imported data can include items such as PAYE income, pension-related information and preliminary tax,
depending on what is available through ROS for the relevant year.
 

ROS Submission and XML Generation

The system generates XML output for Revenue submission. For self-service users, this allows them to
upload a completed XML file through ROS themselves. For higher-tier plans, staff can review the return
and handle submission workflows on the client’s behalf.
 

Final Calculation Workflow

While the platform includes a live calculator throughout the user journey, final tax results are aligned
with Revenue by sending the prepared XML data through the ROS workflow and formatting the returned
result in a clear tax results screen for the user.
 

PDF Outputs

The platform generates supporting documentation, including Form 11 PDFs, self-employed profit and loss
outputs, rental-related PDFs and customer invoices.
 

Administrative Control Panel

A dedicated backend allows staff to oversee and support the full customer lifecycle. Admin users can
review user activity, manage tax years and plans, monitor completion status, work through premium-plan
review queues and access customer accounts directly in live or test mode where necessary.

This gives the FastTax team a practical operational layer behind the customer-facing platform, rather
than relying solely on users to complete the process unaided.
  

Workflow by Plan Type

The platform supports multiple service models. Entry-level users can complete the process themselves,
while higher-tier plans allow FastTax staff to review returns in detail, confirm accuracy and legitimacy,
and in some cases, submit the Revenue XML on the client’s behalf.

This combination of software workflow and expert review gives the business flexibility in how it delivers
It’s service while keeping all activity inside one connected system.
 

Scale and Ongoing Use

The platform handles approximately 1,800 users per year and supports recurring annual use, with many
customers returning to complete tax filings year after year.
 

Technical Challenges

One of the biggest ongoing technical challenges has been the integration with Revenue ROS. While the
integration itself is achievable, Revenue schemas can change over time, sometimes requiring analysis.
troubleshooting and system updates to keep import and submission workflows working correctly.

This has required iWorks to maintain the platform carefully and adapt quickly when external technical
dependencies shift.
 

Outcome

FastTax now operates on a rebuilt bespoke platform that gives users a more manageable alternative to
dealing directly with ROS, while providing the business with a strong operational backend for support,
review and submission workflows.

• rebuilt legacy platform from the ground up
• supports around 1,800 users annually
• combines self-service and staff-assisted workflows
• integrates with Revenue ROS for import and submission processes
• generates structured XML and PDF outputs
• supports repeat annual use across multiple tax years
   

Ongoing Support

iWorks continues to support and enhance the platform, maintaining its Revenue integration, updating the
system as requirements change and helping ensure the service remains stable through each tax cycle.