What to Claim
Many professionals—including healthcare workers, engineers, tradespeople, teachers, lecturers, hairdressers, beauticians, retail staff, and others—are eligible for tax refunds on flat-rate expenses but may not realise the full extent of what they can claim.
Flat rate expenses are costs that employees incur for essential work items, like uniforms, tools, or equipment.
Many occupations qualify to claim tax refunds on these expenses, with the most common including medical and healthcare professionals, engineers, tradespeople, teachers, lecturers, hairdressers, beauticians, retail workers, and more.
Tax Hacks are here to help you maximise your tax rebate! Simply fill in our one-minute application form and we will begin securing your refund.
Employees Eligible for Flat-Rate Expense Refunds
Cosmetologists
Hairdressers, beauticians, barbers, nail technicians, and stylists can claim up to €256 per year for the previous 4 years of necessary expenses related to their work.
Plumbers (Non-Welder), Plumber-Welders, Pipe Fitter-Welders
Plumbing professionals can claim up to €328 per year for the previous 4 years of expenses related to the purchase of tools and supplies.
Medical and Healthcare Professionals
Visit our dedicated page for medical and healthcare professionals to find details on eligible tax relief for flat-rate expenses for nurses, nursing assistants, hospital doctors and consultants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dentists, and more.
School Teachers & Principals
School principles and teachers can claim up to €973 per year for the previous 4 years on flat-rate expenses.
Engineers (Skilled, Semi-Skilled & Unskilled)
Engineers are eligible for a rebate of up to €530 each year for the previous 4 years of expenses related to necessary tools and overalls. This applies to engineers working in the Civil Service, Local Authorities, Eircom, Coilltem, and OPW.
Shop Assistants
Shop assistants employed in retail can claim up to €194 per year for expenses incurred due to their duties.
Panel Beaters & Sheet Metal Workers
Panel beaters and sheet metal workers who cover their tools and overall costs can claim up to *€125 per year on incurred expenses.
Guidance Counsellors
Full-time guidance counsellors in secondary schools are eligible for up to *€933 per year in tax back on work-related expenses.
Carpenters & Joinery Tradespeople
Carpenters and joinery tradespeople, including cabinet makers, joiners, painters, polishers, upholsterers, and wood-cutting machinists, *can claim back up to €352 per year for the previous 4 years of expenses incurred for essential tools and equipment.
Building Industry Tradespeople
This category includes bricklayers, fitter mechanics, plasterers, electricians, masons, roofers, tilers, floor layers, stone cutters, drivers, scaffolders, sheet metal workers, steel erectors, surveyors, and general operatives. *All of these professionals can claim up to €280 per year on flat-rate expenses over the previous 4 years for items required to complete their work.
Physical Education Teachers
Qualified physical education teachers can claim tax relief of up to €933 per year over the previous 4 years for flat-rate expenses.
Third Level Academic Staff
Heads of schools/departments, senior lecturers, college lecturers, assistant lecturers, and part-time lecturers can also *claim up to €973 per year for the previous 4 years on flat-rate expenses.
