Tax Back Ireland: What Can I Claim? Full List 2025

If you've been working in Ireland, there's a strong chance you're owed money back from Revenue. Thousands of Irish workers overpay tax every year, and many don't realize they can claim back significant amounts for work expenses, medical costs, and other eligible reliefs. This comprehensive guide explains exactly what you can claim tax back on in Ireland for 2025, with real examples showing how much you could save.

Understanding Tax Back in Ireland: What You Need to Know

The Irish tax system operates on a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis, where tax is deducted from your wages before you receive them. While this system is efficient, it doesn't always account for the various expenses and reliefs you're entitled to claim. Revenue allows you to claim tax relief on numerous expenses and circumstances, meaning you can get back tax at your highest rate of tax paid – either 20% or 40% depending on your income bracket.

For official information, you can visit Revenue.ie, Ireland's official tax authority.

For 2025, the standard rate of tax remains at 20% on income up to €44,000 (€44,000 for married couples/civil partners), with the higher rate of 40% applying to income above these thresholds. When you claim tax relief, you receive back the tax you paid on eligible expenses at whichever rate applies to you. This means higher earners can potentially claim back more on the same expenses.

Many people assume that if their tax is correct throughout the year, there's nothing to claim. However, tax refunds in Ireland can arise from numerous situations including work-related expenses that weren't claimed during the year, changes in personal circumstances, or one-off expenses that qualify for relief. Understanding what you can claim is the first step to recovering money that's rightfully yours.

Complete List of What You Can Claim Tax Back On in 2025

Work-Related Expenses

If you use your own money for work purposes, you can claim tax relief on these expenses. This is one of the most commonly overlooked areas for PAYE tax back claims. Eligible work expenses include:

• Professional subscriptions and membership fees: Annual fees for bodies necessary for your employment (nursing registration, engineering institutions, teaching councils, etc.)
• Uniforms and protective clothing: Either the cost of purchasing and maintaining work uniforms, or the flat rate expense allowance
• Tools and equipment: Specialist tools required for your trade that you purchase yourself
• Home working expenses: If you're required to work from home, you may claim €3.20 per day for electricity, heating, and broadband (up to a maximum of €832 annually)
• Mileage and travel: If you use your own car for work purposes (not commuting), you can claim motor travel expenses
• Professional training courses: Courses directly related to your current employment that you pay for yourself

Medical and Health Expenses

Health-related costs can qualify for tax relief at 20%, regardless of your income level. Claimable medical expenses include:

• Routine medical care: GP visits, consultant fees, and specialist appointments not covered by insurance
• Dental and orthodontic treatment: All dental work including routine check-ups, fillings, crowns, and braces
• Optical expenses: Eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses prescribed for medical reasons
• Prescription medications: Monthly drug costs over €100 (under the Drugs Payment Scheme)
• Nursing home fees: Revenue-approved nursing home costs at 40% relief
• Physiotherapy and alternative treatments: Treatments from registered practitioners
• Medical devices: Hearing aids, wheelchairs, and other prescribed medical equipment
• Hospital charges: In-patient and out-patient charges not covered by insurance

Pension Contributions and Savings

Contributing to your pension not only secures your future but provides immediate tax relief:

• Personal pension contributions: Tax relief at your marginal rate (up to age-related limits)
• Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs): Extra pension payments beyond employer schemes
• PRSA contributions: Personal Retirement Savings Account payments

Education and Training

Investing in education can yield tax benefits:

• Tuition fees: Third-level education fees at approved colleges (relief at 20% on fees up to €7,000 per course)
• Postgraduate fees: Masters and PhD tuition costs
• Work-related training: Professional courses required for your current role

Other Claimable Expenses and Reliefs

• Rent Tax Credit: €1,000 for single individuals or €1,000 for jointly assessed couples who rent privately
• Home Carer Tax Credit: Up to €1,950 if you care for a dependent person
• Age Tax Credit: €310 for those aged 65 or over (single) or €620 (married/civil partnership)
• Incapacitated Child Tax Credit: €3,500 for caring for an incapacitated child
• Service charges and levies: Certain property-related charges may qualify
• Remote working relief: 30% of vouched expenses for equipment needed to work from home

How Tax Back Claims Work: The Process Explained

When you claim tax back in Ireland, you're essentially requesting that Revenue recalculate your tax for previous years based on expenses or reliefs you're entitled to. You can claim back for the current year plus the previous four years, meaning you have a five-year window to recover overpaid tax.

The amount you receive depends on your marginal tax rate. If you pay tax at 20%, you'll receive 20% of your eligible expenses back. If you're a higher rate taxpayer at 40%, you'll receive 40% back on expenses that qualify at your marginal rate. Some reliefs, like medical expenses, are specifically available at the 20% rate regardless of your income level.

While it's possible to claim directly through Revenue's myAccount system, the process can be complex and time-consuming. Many people miss out on significant refunds because they don't know what they can claim or how to properly document their expenses. Professional services like MyTaxRebate.ie specialize in maximizing your claim by ensuring every eligible expense is included and properly submitted.

Real Examples: How Much Can You Actually Claim Back?

Example 1: Healthcare Worker with Professional Expenses

Sarah is a registered nurse earning €45,000 annually, placing her in the 40% tax bracket for a portion of her income. In 2024, she paid:

• Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) annual retention fee: €150
• Flat rate expense allowance for uniform maintenance: €733
• Professional development course: €400
• Dental treatment (not covered by insurance): €800
• Physiotherapy sessions: €450

Calculation: Professional expenses (€1,283) claimed at 40% = €513.20. Medical expenses (€1,250) claimed at 20% = €250. Total refund: €763.20 for one year alone. If Sarah hasn't claimed for the past four years, her total refund could exceed €3,000.

Example 2: Tradesperson with Work Tools and Mileage

Michael is an electrician earning €38,000 who purchases his own tools and travels to various job sites. In 2024, he spent:

• Professional tools and equipment: €1,200
• Work-related mileage (5,000 km at approved rates): €2,050
• Flat rate expense allowance: €229
• Safety boots and protective clothing: €300

Calculation: Total work expenses: €3,779 claimed at 20% = €755.80. Michael's refund for one year: €755.80. Over four years of unclaimed expenses, this could amount to over €3,000 in recovered tax.

Example 3: Remote Worker with Home Office Costs

Emma works remotely full-time earning €50,000. She worked from home for typically processed efficiently in 2024 and also paid for:

• Home working daily allowance (typically processed efficiently × €3.20): €640
• Home office equipment (desk, chair, monitor): €800 (30% vouched remote working relief = €240)
• Professional subscription fees: €350
• Optician costs (computer glasses): €280

Calculation: Work expenses (€1,230) claimed at 40% = €492. Medical expenses (€280) claimed at 20% = €56. Emma's total refund: €548 for 2024. If she's been working from home since 2020 and hasn't claimed, her potential refund could exceed €2,500.

Example 4: Student Paying Tuition Fees

James is completing a Master's degree while working, paying €6,500 in tuition fees for 2024. He earns €35,000 annually.

Calculation: Tuition fees of €6,500 claimed at 20% = €1,300. James receives €1,300 back for his education investment. Over a two-year Masters program, this represents €2,600 in tax relief.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Money

Many Irish taxpayers miss out on significant refunds due to common errors and misconceptions:

Not keeping receipts: While some claims like flat rate expenses don't require receipts, most medical and work expenses do. Revenue can request proof of expenses for up to six years, so maintaining good records is essential.

Assuming you've already been refunded: Your employer's payroll doesn't automatically claim work expenses or medical costs for you. These must be actively claimed through Revenue or a professional service.

Missing the four-year deadline: You can claim back tax for the current year plus the previous four years. Any expenses older than this cannot be claimed, so delaying costs you money.

Not claiming for family members: You can claim medical expenses for yourself, your spouse or partner, and your children. Many people forget to include family costs in their claims.

Underestimating work-from-home relief: If you worked from home during the pandemic or work remotely now, you may be entitled to significant refunds for 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Why Professional Help Maximizes Your Tax Back Claim

While Revenue provides online access to claim tax back yourself, the complexity of tax legislation means many people either miss eligible expenses or make errors that delay their refund. Professional tax refund services have extensive knowledge of every allowable claim and understand exactly how to document and submit claims for maximum return.

MyTaxRebate.ie specializes in identifying every euro you're entitled to claim. Our expert team stays current with all tax legislation changes, knows the specific requirements for each type of claim, and handles all communication with Revenue on your behalf. We've helped thousands of Irish workers recover money they didn't even know they were owed.

The service is straightforward: we review your employment and expenses, identify all eligible claims across the available years, prepare and submit your claim to Revenue, and ensure you receive the maximum refund possible. You don't pay unless we successfully recover money for you, making it a risk-free way to claim what you're owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far back can I claim tax back in Ireland?

You can claim tax back for the current tax year plus the previous four years. This means in 2025, you can claim for 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021. Any tax years before 2021 are now outside the claimable period. This is why it's important not to delay making your claim – once expenses fall outside this four-year window, you lose the opportunity to recover that tax permanently.

Do I need to keep receipts for everything I claim?

For most claims, yes, you need to retain receipts and documentation. Medical expenses require receipts from healthcare providers. Work tools and equipment need purchase receipts. However, some claims like the flat rate expense allowance for certain professions don't require receipts as they're pre-approved fixed amounts. Revenue can request proof of expenses for up to six years after you make a claim, so it's essential to keep all documentation in a safe place.

Will claiming tax back affect my tax credits for next year?

No, claiming tax back for previous years doesn't negatively impact your future tax credits. You're simply recovering tax you overpaid in the past. However, if you claim ongoing annual expenses like professional subscriptions, it's worth ensuring these are also added to your tax credits going forward so you don't overpay tax on them in future years. This prevents the need to claim back the same expense every year.

Can I claim if I'm not currently working in Ireland?

Yes, as long as you worked and paid tax in Ireland during the years you're claiming for, you can still submit a claim even if you've since left Ireland or changed jobs. Many people who worked in Ireland and then returned home or moved to another country are entitled to significant refunds. You can claim remotely with the help of a professional service that handles Irish tax refunds.

What's the average tax refund amount in Ireland?

Tax refund amounts vary significantly based on individual circumstances, but many Irish workers who haven't claimed before receive between €800 and €2,500 when claiming for multiple years. Healthcare workers, tradespeople, and those who worked from home during the pandemic often receive higher amounts. Some claims, particularly those including significant medical expenses or multiple years of professional expenses, can exceed €5,000. The only way to know what you're owed is to have your situation professionally reviewed.

How to Claim Your Tax Back in 2025

Claiming tax back in Ireland doesn't need to be complicated or time-consuming. While you can attempt to navigate Revenue's systems yourself, the complexity of tax law and the risk of missing eligible expenses means many people benefit from professional assistance.

MyTaxRebate.ie makes the process simple and stress-free. Our experienced team will review your employment history, identify every expense and relief you qualify for, and handle all aspects of your claim from start to finish. We ensure your claim is accurate, complete, and submitted correctly to maximize your refund.

With thousands of successful claims completed and millions of euros recovered for Irish workers, MyTaxRebate.ie is Ireland's trusted partner for tax refunds. We work on a success-based model, meaning you only pay if we successfully recover money for you.

Don't leave money on the table that's rightfully yours. Contact MyTaxRebate.ie today and discover how much you could claim back. Start your claim today and get the tax refund you deserve.