The latest figures from the Department of Finance show that there was an exchequer surplus of €2.265bn in 2006, which was €415m more than the €1.85bn surplus expected.
This compares to an exchequer deficit of €499m in 2005, and a budgeted deficit of €2.92bn.
Capital gains tax and stamp duty both came in €1bn ahead of target.
The figures indicate there has been no slowdown in the performance of taxes despite concerns about the property market beginning to cool.
The buoyant figures are also the last full year of exchequer returns before the election.
