Revenue Commissioners can now examine how you use your credit and debit cards, in an effort to catch tax dodgers.

The Irish Independent reports that the move is part of the organisation's plan to focus more on internet commerce.

The paper reports that Revenue is being supplied the information by merchant acquirer firms - institution that process credit and debit card transactions - under legislation passed two years ago.

Earlier this week Revenue announced it would pursue Airbnb hosts who have not declared tax on their earnings.

Now they plan to use credit and debit card spending to gauge whether someone is living beyond their means - which may indicate that they are not declaring all taxable income.