The Government took in close to €28 billion in income tax and VAT in the first five months of the year, almost €2 billion more than during same period in 2025, new figures show.Overall the State collected €49.2 billion revenue in the year to the end of May, €700 million less than during the same five-month period in 2025, according to exchequer returns detailing State income and spending published on Thursday.Income tax and VAT, levied on consumer spending, together accounted for €27.85 billion of the total, €1.9 billion more than what workers and shoppers paid during the same five months last year.Corporation tax, levied on company profits, rose €516 million in the year to the end of last month to €6.2 billion. Excise duty tumbled almost €100 million to €2.5 billion to the end of May.The fall could be due to Government tax cuts on diesel and petrol announced following widespread protests at soaring motor fuel price rises in April, a Department of Finance statement said. Excise is collected on motor fuel, alcohol and tobacco.Government spending surged to €51.5 billion in the five-month period, the figures show, leaving the State nursing a €2.3 billion deficit on May 31st.