If you're renting with your partner in Ireland, you could be entitled to claim up to €1,500 in rent tax credits for 2025—that's €750 per person. For couples navigating the rental market together, understanding how to maximize this valuable relief can make a significant difference to your household finances. Whether you're sharing a one-bedroom apartment in Dublin or renting a family home in Cork, the Rent Tax Credit offers substantial savings that many couples are leaving unclaimed. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything couples need to know about claiming their full entitlement.
Understanding Rent Tax Credit for Couples in 2025
The Irish government significantly increased the Rent Tax Credit from €500 to €750 per person in 2025, recognizing the ongoing pressure of rental costs. For couples who are both paying rent on the same property, this means a combined potential credit of €1,500 annually. This isn't a reduction in your rent—it's a credit applied directly against your income tax liability, which can result in cash refunds or reduced tax bills.
The beauty of this relief for couples is that each person claims independently based on their own tax situation. Both partners can claim even if only one name is on the lease, provided both are actually living at the property and contributing to the rent. To learn more about the broader eligibility criteria, check out our detailed guide on rent relief eligibility in Ireland.
Key Requirements for Couples Claiming Together
Both Partners Must Meet Basic Criteria
For couples to successfully claim the rent tax credit, each person must individually satisfy the following conditions:
- Be registered for income tax with a valid PPS number
- Pay qualifying rent on your primary residence in Ireland
- Not receive social housing supports such as HAP or RAS payments
- Ensure the landlord is registered with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB)
- Not be renting from a relative or connected party
RTB Registration: Non-Negotiable for Both Claims
One crucial requirement that trips up many couples is RTB registration. Your landlord must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board for both of you to claim. Revenue checks this automatically, and if your landlord isn't registered, neither partner can access the credit. The good news is that you can verify your landlord's registration status through the RTB website before applying.
Practical Examples: What Couples Can Claim
Example 1: Working Couple in Dublin
Situation: Sarah and John rent a two-bedroom apartment in Dublin for €2,000 per month. Both work full-time and pay income tax.
Claim: Sarah claims €750, John claims €750
Total household benefit: €1,500 in tax credits for 2025
Result: If both have sufficient tax liability, this could mean €1,500 back in their pockets or reduced tax bills throughout the year.
Example 2: One Partner Earning Below Tax Threshold
Situation: Emma works full-time earning €45,000 annually while her partner Mark is a part-time student earning €12,000 per year. They pay €1,400 monthly rent in Galway.
Claim: Emma can claim the full €750. Mark earns below the income tax threshold (€18,000 for single persons in 2025), so he has no tax liability and cannot benefit from the credit.
Total household benefit: €750 for 2025
Important note: If Mark's income increases and he begins paying tax, he should immediately apply for his portion of the credit.
Example 3: Backdating Claims for Maximum Refund
Situation: Michael and Lisa have been renting together since January 2023 but only learned about the Rent Tax Credit in 2025. They pay €1,650 per month in Cork.
Backdated claim calculation:
- 2023: €500 per person = €1,000 combined
- 2024: €500 per person = €1,000 combined
- 2025: €750 per person = €1,500 combined
Total potential refund: €3,500 for the couple
This substantial refund demonstrates the importance of backdating claims to December 2022 when the credit was introduced.
How Couples Should Apply
While both partners are claiming individually, coordinating your applications ensures you don't miss out on any entitlements. Each person needs to submit their own claim to Revenue, providing details such as:
- Your landlord's name and address
- The rental property address
- Your tenancy start date
- Monthly rent amount
- Confirmation of RTB registration number
Professional assistance ensures both applications are completed correctly and that you're claiming the maximum backdated amount. For detailed steps on the application process, visit our guide on how to apply for rent tax credit online.
Married Couples vs. Cohabiting Couples
An important clarification: the Rent Tax Credit rules apply equally whether you're married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting. Unlike some tax reliefs where married couples are treated differently, each person claims individually based on their own tax position. This means:
- Married couples assessed jointly or separately can both claim
- Civil partners have the same entitlements as married couples
- Cohabiting couples each claim independently
- The relationship status doesn't affect the €750 per person limit
What If Only One Name Is on the Lease?
This is one of the most common questions couples ask. The good news is that both partners can claim even if only one name appears on the lease agreement. What matters is that:
- Both of you actually live at the property as your primary residence
- Both of you are contributing to the rent (even informally)
- The property is properly registered with the RTB
- Neither of you owns another property that could be considered your main residence
Revenue understands that many couples share rent payments even when only one person's name is on official documents. However, professional guidance ensures your claim is properly documented and defensible if Revenue seeks clarification.
Common Mistakes Couples Make
Based on thousands of claims we've processed, here are the most frequent errors couples make when claiming their rent tax credit:
❌ Claiming based on total rent rather than per-person limits: Each person is limited to €750, regardless of how much rent you actually pay.
❌ Forgetting to backdate: You can claim back to December 2022, which could mean thousands in additional refunds.
❌ One partner claiming for both: Each person must submit their own individual claim to Revenue.
❌ Not verifying RTB registration first: Check this before applying to avoid wasted effort and delays.
❌ Assuming non-PAYE income doesn't qualify: Self-employed partners and those with non-PAYE income can also claim, provided they have tax liability.
Maximizing Your Couple's Claim
To ensure you're getting the full €1,500 combined benefit, consider these optimization strategies:
Timing matters: If one partner has variable income or tax liability, consider when to submit claims to maximize refunds. Professional tax advisors can structure your claims for optimal results.
Document everything: Keep rent receipts, bank statements showing payments, and lease agreements. While Revenue may not request these immediately, having documentation ready protects both claims.
Review annually: Tax credits can be applied to current year and future years, reducing your tax throughout the year rather than waiting for a lump sum refund.
For comprehensive information about the 2025 changes and how they benefit you, read our complete Rent Tax Credit Ireland 2025 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both partners claim if we share the rent 50/50?
Yes, absolutely. Each partner is entitled to claim €750 regardless of how you split the actual rent payment. Even if one person pays more than the other, both can claim their full individual entitlement of €750, provided both meet the eligibility criteria.
What if we moved house during the year?
You can claim the Rent Tax Credit for all qualifying rental properties you lived in during the year, up to your maximum entitlement of €750 each. Make sure all landlords were RTB registered for the periods you're claiming. Each partner should include all addresses in their individual claims.
Can we claim if one partner owns property elsewhere?
If one partner owns a property that isn't your primary residence (such as an investment property or family home you don't live in), they may still be able to claim. However, if either partner owns the property you're currently renting together, neither can claim. This is a complex area where professional advice is essential.
Do we need to claim every year?
Yes, you need to claim for each tax year you're entitled to relief. The good news is that once your claim is processed, Revenue can often apply the credit automatically for subsequent years if your circumstances remain the same. However, it's wise to review annually, especially with the 2025 increase from €500 to €750.
What happens if our landlord isn't RTB registered?
Unfortunately, neither partner can claim the Rent Tax Credit if your landlord isn't registered with the RTB. This is a strict requirement that Revenue checks automatically. You may wish to inform your landlord that their non-registration is preventing you from accessing legitimate tax relief—this sometimes encourages them to register. However, you should never threaten or pressure your landlord, as this could affect your tenancy.
Get Your Full €1,500 Couple's Entitlement Today
With up to €1,500 available for couples in 2025—and potentially thousands more in backdated claims since December 2022—ensuring you claim correctly is crucial. Many couples leave money on the table through incomplete applications, missed backdating opportunities, or not understanding that both partners can claim simultaneously.
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