Medical Expenses Tax Relief
All PAYE workers can claim rebates for a range of medical expenses paid by you for your immediate family or anyone else!
Medical expenses can be a large burden on families so it is important to reclaim the maximum available amount. As your tax agent, we are here to maximise your tax rebate. Get started by filling in our 60-second form now, and we will work to secure your rebate.
The Most Common Tax Rebate Items on Medical Expenses Include:
Doctors’ Visits
Claim 20% back on the cost of GP, doctor and consultant fees or treatment in a hospital. Just submit receipts from your doctor and/or hospital. GP and medical visits for a family could reach €1,000 in any given year, resulting in a tax rebate of up to €200.
Prescriptions
You are eligible for 20% tax relief on the cost of medications prescribed by your doctor, dentist, or consultant. Just submit a summarised prescription report from your pharmacy.
On average, an asthma inhaler costs €240 annually. This would result in a rebate of €48!
Laser Eye Treatment
You may claim back up to 20% for expenses relating to laser eye surgery, whether performed in Ireland or abroad. Just submit your receipt of costs from the fully accredited and licensed medical practitioner performing the surgery.
The average cost of LASIK Laser Eye Surgery for two eyes is €4,400, which would result in a tax refund of €880!
IVF & Fertility Treatments
You can claim a 20% rebate on the costs of IVF and fertility treatments, whether performed in Ireland or abroad. Just submit a receipt from the IVF clinic specialist.
The average cost of a single IVF treatment is €4,500, which would give you a tax refund of €900.
Maternity Care
The expenses for routine pregnancy care, including GP visits and hospital appointments, qualify for a 20% tax refund. Just submit a receipt from your hospital or doctor.
Hospital and consultancy fees during pregnancy can quickly reach up to €720. This would give you a refund of €144.
Dental Expenses
Braces, crowns, root canals and other specialised dental treatments are eligible for a 20% tax refund.
Just submit a completed Med 2 form from your dentist! Full fixed braces cost an average of €4,500, which would mean a tax rebate of €900.
Nursing Home Expenses
& Cost of Home Carer
You can claim the costs of nursing home care or in-home professional care for yourself or a dependent at the higher rate tax rate of 40%. Just submit receipts giving a breakdown of payments, details of the care provider, and the name and PPSN of the patient.
Nursing home costs can easily total €50,000 per year. This would result in a rebate of €20,000.
X-Rays & Diagnostic Procedures
Expenses for diagnostic procedures, including X-rays, CAT scans, and MRI scans, qualify for a 20% tax refund. Just submit a receipt from the relevant procedures.
Example: The average MRI cost is €300. This would mean a rebate of €60.
Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Podiatry, Chiropody
Expenses for physiotherapy, acupuncture, podiatry, and chiropody, referred by a qualified practitioner, are eligible for a 20% tax refund. Just submit the receipts from your appointments.
If five physiotherapy sessions cost you €300, that would result in a tax refund of €60.
Psychotherapy or Psychiatry
Treatment expenses from a qualified psychologist or psychotherapist are eligible for a 20% tax refund. Just submit receipts for your sessions or a statement from the practitioner’s office.
If the cost for five visits to a psychotherapist is €600, this would result in a tax refund of €120.
Orthopaedic
Expenses for orthopaedic treatments and orthopaedic beds or chairs qualify for a 20% tax refund. Just submit a VAT receipt.
The average orthopaedic bed costs €3,500, which would result in a rebate of €700.
Medical Appliances
Medical aids and appliances exclusively used by a person with a disability, such as stair lifts, hearing aids, and wheelchairs, are claimable for a tax rebate at the 20% level. Just submit your original receipts.
The average cost to install a stair lift is €5,000, which would give a rebate of €1,000.
Speech and Language Therapy
The costs of private speech and language therapy for a dependent child, provided the sessions are conducted by a qualified speech and language therapist, are eligible for a 20% tax rebate. Just issue receipts from the sessions.
If the cost of 10 speech therapy sessions is €1,000, this would result in a rebate of €200.
Educational Psychological Assessment
Educational psychological assessments conducted by an educational psychologist for a qualifying child are eligible for a 20% tax refund. Just submit a receipt from the assessment.
If an educational assessment costs €400, you may receive a tax refund of €80.
Dietary Restrictions
Due to Medical Conditions
Those diagnosed with coeliac disease and diabetes can claim a 20% rebate on the cost of specially manufactured foods. Submit a supermarket printout when paying with a club or loyalty card.
Gluten-free bread can cost you €240 over the year, giving you a rebate of €48.
Medical Insurance Premiums
Medical insurance premiums paid by your employer, including those for dependents, are liable for a 20% tax rebate. Just submit statements from your employer or health insurance provider, displaying names and premium values for all clients covered by the policy.
If health insurance premiums cost you €3,500 yearly, you would receive a rebate of €500.
Blind Person’s Tax Credit
You are eligible for the Blind Person’s Tax Credit if you are blind or if you have visual impairments. The Blind Persons Tax Credit is €1,650 for a single person. This credit increases to €3,300 for spouses and civil partners, where both persons are blind.
Just submit a certificate from a medical professional indicating the temporary or permanent nature of the visual impairment and the degree of blindness experienced by the patient.
Guide Dog Allowance
In addition to the Blind Person’s Tax Credit, you may qualify for the Guide Dog Allowance if you own a trained guide dog. Just submit a letter from an accredited organisation confirming your registered ownership of the dog.
The annual allowance of €825 is claimed at the standard rate of 20%.
Dependent Relative Tax Credit
You might be eligible for the Dependent Relative Tax Credit if you fund the support of a relative unable to care for themselves due to either old age or infirmity.
The relative being cared for must not have an income exceeding €14,795 annually. However, the relative is not required to reside in Ireland to qualify for this credit.
Incapacitated Child Tax Credit
If you have a child with a long-lasting physical or mental disability that prevents them from achieving financial independence, you may qualify for the Incapacitated Child Tax Credit. Contact us now if you are interested in claiming this credit.
Important Reminder:
Before applying for a tax refund on medical expenses, please remember that you cannot claim relief for any reimbursements you have already received or are due to receive from:
• Any public or local authority, such as the Health Service Executive (HSE).
• Any insurance policy.
• Any other source, such as a compensation claim.
