If your job requires specific footwear—safety boots, non-slip shoes, or other protective footwear—you may be able to claim tax relief on the cost. While work shoes alone might not result in a huge refund, when combined with other reliefs you're entitled to, the total can be significant.
Our specialists help workers identify all their claimable expenses, including work footwear. Here's what you need to know about claiming tax back on work shoes in Ireland.
📊 Work Footwear Tax Relief
- What qualifies: Safety boots, protective footwear required for work
- Relief type: Actual expenses or flat rate (depending on job)
- Documentation: Keep receipts for actual expense claims
- Claim period: Up to 4 years back
When Can You Claim for Work Shoes?
You can claim tax relief on work footwear when:
- Your employer requires you to wear specific safety footwear
- You purchase the footwear yourself (not provided by employer)
- Your employer doesn't reimburse the cost
This typically applies to construction workers, factory workers, warehouse staff, healthcare workers, hospitality workers (non-slip shoes), and others in roles requiring protective footwear.
How to Claim
Through Flat Rate Expenses
Many professions have flat rate expense allowances that cover uniform and equipment costs, including footwear. If your job has a flat rate, you claim the standard amount—no need to track individual receipts for shoes.
For example, nurses, healthcare assistants, and construction workers all have flat rate allowances that cover work clothing and footwear.
Through Actual Expenses
If your profession doesn't have a flat rate allowance, you can claim for actual expenses—but you'll need to keep receipts. The relief is at 20% (standard rate) or up to 40% (higher rate) depending on your income.
Work Shoes Are Just the Start
While work footwear can be claimed, it's often a small part of a much larger refund. When our specialists review your tax, we look at everything:
Rent Tax Credit (Up to €1,000/year)
If you rent your home, this credit alone could be worth more than years of work shoe purchases. It can be backdated, meaning many renters are owed thousands.
Medical Expenses (20% Relief)
GP visits, prescriptions, dental work—all claimable. Most people have these expenses but never think to claim.
Emergency Tax
If you've changed jobs in the past four years, you may have overpaid during emergency tax periods—often worth €500-€2,000+.
💡 Real Example
James came to us asking about claiming for his safety boots. When we reviewed his full tax history, we found unclaimed flat rate expenses for his trade (4 years), rent credit (3 years), and emergency tax from a job change. His work boots claim was €40—his total refund was €2,940.
How We Help
Our specialists don't just look at one expense—we review your complete four-year tax history to find every relief you're entitled to:
- All work expenses: Uniforms, footwear, tools, equipment
- All credits: Rent, medical, and credits you might be missing
- All overpayments: Emergency tax and Week 1 basis issues
- No refund, no fee: You only pay if we get you money back
Learn more about how our process works.
Want to Claim for Work Expenses?
Our experts will review all your expenses and find every relief you're entitled to.
Start Your Tax Review →No refund, no fee • Average refund €1,080 • TAIN: 77632V
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim for regular shoes I wear to work?
Generally no—ordinary shoes you could wear outside of work don't qualify. The footwear must be specifically required for your job, like safety boots or non-slip shoes for certain environments.
What if my employer provides a uniform allowance?
If your employer gives you an allowance and it covers your costs, you can't also claim tax relief. You can only claim for the portion you pay yourself.
How far back can I claim?
Up to four years. If you've been buying work footwear since 2021 without claiming, we can review all four years.