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New Tax Credits Introduced in the Latest Budget Ireland 2026
Last Updated: October 2, 2025
Disclaimer: This content is based on pre-budget expectations and expert predictions ahead of Budget 2026’s announcement on October 7, 2025. These are pre-budget predictions and subject to official confirmation. Check back for post-Budget updates with confirmed changes.
Budget 2026 is expected to introduce significant new tax credits alongside enhancements to existing provisions, creating substantial relief opportunities for Irish taxpayers across multiple categories. Based on pre-budget expectations and expert submissions from PwC, Deloitte, and the Irish Tax Institute, this comprehensive analysis examines the anticipated new tax credit landscape and its potential impact on your annual tax savings.
With a €1.5 billion tax package focusing on targeted relief rather than broad-based cuts, Budget 2026’s new tax credits are likely to address specific policy priorities including housing affordability, environmental sustainability, and innovation support. These focused interventions could deliver meaningful financial benefits for qualifying taxpayers while supporting Ireland’s strategic economic objectives.
Let MyTaxRebate.ie’s experts navigate these complex new provisions for you, ensuring you claim every euro of new tax credit relief immediately upon implementation.
Pre-Budget Context for New Tax Credit Development
Ireland’s strong economic position, with GDP growth projections of 4.6% in 2025 and 2.9% in 2026, provides the fiscal space for introducing targeted new tax credits while maintaining budgetary discipline. However, international uncertainties, including US tariffs on EU goods, emphasise the need for strategic interventions that support competitiveness alongside household relief.
The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council’s warning about excessive budgetary expansion suggests Budget 2026 will favour targeted, efficient tax credits over broad-based relief measures. This approach aligns with expert submissions calling for specific interventions addressing housing, environmental, and innovation challenges facing Irish taxpayers.
Policy Drivers for New Tax Credits
Housing Affordability Crisis: Continued rental cost pressures create strong political motivation for enhanced housing-related tax credits beyond existing rent relief provisions.
Climate Objectives: Ireland’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 necessitates additional environmental tax incentives to encourage private sector investment in green technologies.
Economic Competitiveness: International tax competition and the need to retain talent suggest new credits supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and high-skilled employment.
Cost-of-Living Pressures: While inflation is moderating, sustained high costs for energy, childcare, and housing drive demand for targeted household support measures.
Predicted New Environmental and Energy Tax Credits
Based on pre-budget submissions from professional bodies and Ireland’s climate commitments, Budget 2026 is expected to introduce comprehensive new environmental tax credits addressing both household and business green investment.
Anticipated Home Energy Efficiency Credit
Expert analysis suggests a new comprehensive home energy efficiency tax credit building on existing SEAI grant coordination:
Predicted Features:
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Direct tax credit for qualifying energy improvements
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30-40% credit rate on eligible expenditure
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Annual cap of €3,000-€5,000 per household
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Coordination with SEAI grants to maximise total relief
Qualifying Improvements (Anticipated):
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Heat pump installations and upgrades
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Solar panel and battery storage systems
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Advanced insulation and window replacements
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Smart home energy management systems
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EV charging infrastructure
Case Study – Dublin Family Home:
The O’Brien family, investing €15,000 in comprehensive energy upgrades:
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SEAI grants: €6,000
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New energy efficiency credit (predicted 35%): €5,250
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Total support: €11,250
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Net investment: €3,750
This enhanced support structure makes environmental improvements highly attractive while advancing climate objectives.
Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Enhancement
Pre-budget analysis suggests potential new or enhanced EV-related tax credits:
Anticipated EV Purchase Credit:
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Direct credit for new EV purchases by private individuals
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Sliding scale based on vehicle price and emissions
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Annual cap of €2,000-€3,000 per vehicle
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Additional credit for home charging infrastructure
Commercial EV Fleet Credit:
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Enhanced relief for businesses transitioning to electric fleets
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Accelerated capital allowances for EV purchases
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Additional credit for charging infrastructure investment
Business Decarbonisation Credit
Deloitte’s pre-budget submission specifically advocates for a new decarbonisation tax credit supporting business environmental investment:
Predicted Structure:
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25-30% credit on qualifying decarbonisation expenditure
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Annual cap of €50,000-€100,000 per business
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Qualifying investments in emissions reduction technology
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Simplified claiming procedures for SMEs
Innovation and Technology Tax Credit Predictions
Budget 2026 is expected to introduce new tax credits supporting Ireland’s digital transformation and innovation capacity, addressing competitiveness challenges highlighted in professional submissions.
AI and Digitalisation Tax Credit
Deloitte’s pre-budget submission calls for a comprehensive AI and digitalisation tax credit:
Anticipated Features:
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25% credit on qualifying AI and digital transformation expenditure
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Separate qualification criteria from R&D credit
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Lower threshold for SME access
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Streamlined claiming procedures
Qualifying Expenditure (Predicted):
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AI software development and implementation
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Machine learning system deployment
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Digital infrastructure upgrades
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Cybersecurity enhancement projects
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Data analytics and business intelligence systems
Case Study – Cork Technology Company:
TechCork Ltd, investing €100,000 in AI implementation:
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Current position: Full expenditure treated as normal business cost
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With new AI credit (predicted 25%): €25,000 tax credit
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Effective investment cost: €75,000
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Enhanced ROI encouraging innovation adoption
Enhanced R&D Tax Credit
Multiple pre-budget submissions call for R&D tax credit enhancements, potentially including:
Rate Increase Predictions:
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Current rate: 25% for qualifying expenditure
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Predicted enhancement: 30-35% for qualifying activities
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Potential additional rate for breakthrough technologies
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Enhanced support for collaborative research
Expanded Qualifying Activities:
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AI and machine learning research
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Sustainable technology development
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Digital platform innovation
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Clean energy research projects
Start-Up and Entrepreneurship Credit
Pre-budget analysis suggests potential new credits supporting entrepreneurship and business formation:
Predicted Angel Investor Credit:
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Enhanced tax relief for private investment in start-ups
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Potential rate of 30-40% on qualifying investments
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Annual investment caps with carry-forward provisions
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Simplified claiming and verification procedures
Housing and Accommodation Tax Credit Enhancements
Beyond the widely predicted rent tax credit increase, Budget 2026 may introduce additional housing-related tax credits addressing Ireland’s accommodation crisis.
Enhanced Rent Tax Credit
While technically an enhancement rather than new credit, the predicted substantial increase represents a major expansion:
Current Position (2025):
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€1,000 annually for individuals
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€2,000 annually for married couples
Predicted Enhancement (2026):
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€1,500 annually for individuals (+€500)
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€2,500 annually for married couples (+€500)
Additional Enhancements Anticipated:
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Expanded qualifying accommodation types
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Simplified claiming procedures
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Enhanced relief for shared accommodation
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Automatic claiming integration with Revenue systems
Potential Childcare Tax Credit
Budget 2026 may introduce direct childcare tax credit provisions addressing persistent affordability challenges:
Anticipated Features:
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Direct credit for qualifying childcare expenses
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Potential rate of 20-25% on eligible costs
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Annual cap of €2,000-€3,000 per child
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Integration with existing childcare support schemes
Qualifying Expenses (Predicted):
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Registered childcare provider fees
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After-school and holiday care costs
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Educational activity expenses for qualifying ages
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Special needs childcare support
Case Study – Working Single Parent:
Maria, single parent with childcare costs of €8,000 annually:
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Current position: Limited childcare tax relief
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With new childcare credit (predicted 25%): €2,000 tax credit
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Enhanced financial support for working parents
First-Time Buyer Enhancement Credit
Additional support for first-time buyers may include:
Predicted Enhancements:
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Increased Help-to-Buy relief amounts
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Expanded qualifying property types and values
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Additional credit for energy-efficient new homes
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Simplified claiming and verification procedures
Professional and Employment Tax Credit Expansions
Budget 2026 may introduce new tax credits supporting professional development, skills enhancement, and employment transition.
Professional Development Credit
Anticipated features supporting lifelong learning and skills development:
Predicted Structure:
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25-30% credit on qualifying professional development expenditure
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Annual cap of €2,000-€3,000 per individual
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Qualifying courses and certification programmes
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Integration with national skills development initiatives
Qualifying Expenditure:
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Professional qualification courses
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Industry certification programmes
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Technology skills development
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Language learning for international business
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Leadership and management development
Remote Working Infrastructure Credit
Building on existing working from home relief, new provisions may include:
Enhanced Home Office Credit:
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Direct credit for home office setup and maintenance
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Technology equipment and infrastructure relief
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Enhanced utility and broadband relief rates
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Simplified claiming procedures for hybrid workers
Predicted Benefits:
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35% credit rate on qualifying expenditure
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Annual cap of €1,500-€2,000
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Coordination with employer allowance schemes
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Automatic claiming through payroll systems where possible
Healthcare and Medical Tax Credit Improvements
Budget 2026 may expand healthcare-related tax credits addressing persistent cost pressures in private healthcare.
Enhanced Medical Expenses Credit
Potential improvements to existing medical expense relief:
Predicted Enhancements:
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Increased relief rates for specific medical categories
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Simplified claiming procedures reducing administrative burden
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Automatic integration with health insurance claiming
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Enhanced relief for chronic condition management
Dental and Optical Care Credit
New or enhanced credits for dental and optical care:
Anticipated Features:
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Direct credit for qualifying dental treatment
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Enhanced optical care relief including eye tests and glasses
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Potential rate of 25-30% on qualifying expenses
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Coordination with existing medical expense relief
Mental Health Support Credit
Growing focus on mental health may drive new tax credit provisions:
Predicted Support:
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Credit for qualifying mental health treatment
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Enhanced relief for counselling and therapy services
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Integration with employee assistance programmes
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Simplified claiming for ongoing treatment
Strategic Claiming and Implementation Timeline
Understanding Budget 2026’s implementation schedule ensures optimal claiming strategies for maximum financial benefit from new tax credits.
Post-Budget Implementation Schedule
October 7, 2025: Budget announcement and initial credit analysis
January 1, 2026: Most new tax credits take effect
March 2026: Enhanced claiming procedures typically available
October 31, 2026: Filing deadline incorporating all new credits
Claiming Strategy Optimisation
Immediate Assessment (October 2025):
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Comprehensive review of all new credit eligibility
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Strategic planning for optimal credit utilisation
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Documentation preparation for enhanced claiming
Implementation Phase (Early 2026):
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Active claiming of all qualifying new credits
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Coordination between multiple credit categories
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Ongoing monitoring for additional opportunities
Professional Service Advantages
MyTaxRebate.ie’s expertise proves essential for navigating new tax credit complexity:
Comprehensive Credit Analysis: Expert identification of all qualifying new credits based on individual circumstances
Optimal Claiming Coordination: Strategic sequencing and timing for maximum financial benefit
Ongoing Monitoring: Continuous review for additional opportunities as implementation details emerge
Conclusion: Maximising New Tax Credit Opportunities
Budget 2026’s anticipated new tax credits promise to create substantial relief opportunities for Irish taxpayers across environmental, innovation, housing, and professional development categories. The predicted credits addressing energy efficiency, AI adoption, childcare costs, and professional development could deliver meaningful financial benefits while supporting Ireland’s strategic policy objectives.
However, the complexity of new tax credit provisions, combined with varying implementation timelines and qualification criteria, makes professional guidance essential for maximum benefit realisation. The interaction between new credits and existing reliefs creates optimisation opportunities that require expert analysis and strategic planning.
MyTaxRebate.ie’s comprehensive expertise ensures you benefit from all new Budget 2026 tax credits immediately upon implementation. Our established procedures and detailed knowledge of tax credit claiming enable faster processing and higher recovery rates than individual attempts.
Don’t miss Budget 2026’s new tax credit opportunities. Contact MyTaxRebate.ie today for expert assessment of your eligibility for anticipated new credits and strategic claiming guidance that maximises your annual tax savings.
These are pre-budget predictions based on expert analysis and subject to confirmation on October 7, 2025. Final details may vary—consult MyTaxRebate.ie for personalised advice based on confirmed Budget announcements.
Post-Budget Update Placeholder
This section will be updated with confirmed new tax credits introduced in Budget 2026, including:
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Specific credit rates and annual caps
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Detailed eligibility criteria and qualifying expenditure
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Implementation dates and claiming procedures
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Professional strategies for optimal credit utilisation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Based on pre-budget expectations, most new tax credits will take effect from January 1, 2026. Some may be available for backdated claiming covering the entire 2026 tax year, while others might have delayed implementation dates requiring confirmation after October 7.
Yes, typically new tax credits can be claimed alongside existing reliefs, subject to specific eligibility criteria and annual caps. Professional assessment ensures optimal coordination across all available credit categories.
Maintain comprehensive records of potential qualifying expenditure including energy improvements, professional development, childcare costs, and medical expenses. Professional guidance ensures optimal preparation and claiming strategies.
Implementation details will be confirmed after Budget announcement. Many new credits may integrate with existing claiming procedures, while others might require specific applications. Professional services handle all claiming procedures regardless of complexity.
New tax credits typically complement rather than replace existing reliefs, potentially creating cumulative benefits. Professional analysis ensures maximum benefit coordination across all available provisions.