Health Expenses Relief: Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to claim tax relief on your non-routine medical costs to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
This scheme allows you to claim back a portion of the money you spend on certain medical costs by reducing your tax bill.
Who it's for
This relief is available to anyone who pays for non-routine medical expenses. If you have paid for medical treatments or services that fall outside of standard routine care, you may be able to use this to reduce your tax liability.
What you get
You can receive tax relief equal to 20% of your qualifying medical expenses. This means that for every amount you spend on eligible medical costs, a portion is returned to you in the form of tax relief, effectively lowering the total amount of tax you are required to pay to the government.
What it costs you
There is no monetary fee required to apply for this relief. However, the main requirement is the time and effort needed to manage your documentation. You must keep all of your original medical receipts and proof of payment for a period of 6 years. This ensures you have the necessary evidence to support your claim if the Revenue Commissioners request verification of your expenses.
The catch to know
The most important thing to remember is that routine dental and optical expenses are excluded from this relief. While many medical costs are covered, standard check-ups or regular items for dental and eye care do not qualify for this specific tax reduction.
How to apply
- Gather all your receipts for non-routine medical expenses.
- Organize your documentation to ensure you have proof for every claim.
- Access your account on the official government portal.
- Follow the digital prompts to submit your medical expenses for the relevant period.
- Store your physical or digital receipts in a safe place for at least 6 years.