Over 1.54 million homeowners had registered to pay the property tax by last night's 8pm extended deadline. It is estimated around 1.66 million are liable to pay the charge, which is due for payment in July.

Some 2,000 people filed a return every hour yesterday, while some 400,000 people have filed since Friday.

Homeowners who failed to file a Property Tax return before 8pm yesterday will receive reminder letters from the Revenue Commissioners over the next 10 days.

Only 3% of liable households have applied for a deferral or exemption. The data collected will be used at a later date to determine who has not paid the Household Charge.

73% of those who had filed returns did so online while 22% posted back the form received from Revenue and 5 per cent filed over the phone. While the vast majority people paid up-front.

46% of people filing returns chose to pay using debit or credit cards. 15% had paid by cheque, while 27% had opted for direct debit.

5% opted for voluntary deduction at source, with 7% choosing to pay through the external service providers - such as through the post office.

Irish Independent journalist Paul Melia explained what happens next to Breakfast here on Newstalk.