The latest Exchequer returns show tax revenues are 5.8% ahead of target in the first nine months of the year.
Figures for the first nine months of the year show almost all the major tax areas are ahead of schedule, with a huge surge in corporation tax.
Government spending meanwhile is around 1.3% below projections, with health the only problem area.
The unexpectedly strong returns raise the prospect of extra leeway for measures in the Budget in two weeks' time.