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Claiming Tax Back on Medical Expenses
Medical bills can add up fast, but did you know you can claim tax relief on many healthcare expenses in Ireland? Whether it’s a GP visit, prescription medication, or specialist treatment, you could be entitled to a tax refund of 20% or even 40% in some cases.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
- What medical expenses you can claim tax relief on
- How much you can get back
- The step-by-step process of claiming your tax refund
- FAQs to help clear up common questions
Let’s get started!
Understanding Tax Relief on Medical Expenses
Medical tax relief allows you to get some money back on eligible healthcare costs you’ve paid for yourself, your family, or even someone else, as long as you covered the bill.
The standard tax relief rate is 20%, while nursing home expenses qualify for a higher 40% relief. This means you could recover a significant portion of your healthcare costs.
What Medical Expenses Can You Claim Tax Relief On?
Qualifying Expenses
To qualify for tax relief, your medical expenses must be carried out or prescribed by a registered medical practitioner. The following are eligible for tax relief:
- Doctor & Consultant Fees – GP visits, specialist consultations
- Hospital Treatments – Surgery, maternity care, diagnostic procedures
- Prescription Medication – Medicines prescribed by a doctor or dentist
- Mental Health Treatments – Psychotherapy or psychologist visits
- Medical Equipment & Appliances – Hearing aids, wheelchairs, glucometers
- Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropody, Podiatry – If prescribed
- Fertility Treatments (IVF) – Treatments in Ireland or abroad
Example: If you spent €500 on GP visits in a year, you could claim back €100 in tax relief (20% of the cost).
Excluded Expenses (What You CAN’T Claim For)
Some expenses don’t qualify for tax relief, including:
- Routine dental care (e.g., fillings, cleanings, extractions)
- Routine eye care (eye tests, glasses, contact lenses)
- Cosmetic procedures (unless medically necessary)
- Medical costs already reimbursed by insurance or the HSE
Claiming Medical Expenses for Specific Situations
Dental Expenses
Routine dental work is not covered, but you can claim tax relief on:
- Crowns, veneers, and root canal treatments
- Orthodontic work (e.g., braces)
- Periodontal treatment for gum disease
Example: If you paid €4,500 for braces, you could claim back €900 in tax relief.
How to claim? You need a Med 2 Form from your dentist as proof.
Nursing Home & Home Nursing Expenses
- Nursing home costs qualify for 40% tax relief if the facility provides 24-hour care.
- If you employ a qualified home nurse, you can also claim relief.
Example: If you pay €50,000 per year for a nursing home, you could get up to €20,000 back in tax relief!
Diet Expenses for Coeliacs & Diabetics
If you have coeliac disease or diabetes, you can claim tax relief on:
- Gluten-free food for coeliacs
- Special diabetic food products
How to claim? Get a doctor’s letter confirming your condition and keep supermarket receipts.
Extra Medical Expenses for Children
You can claim additional relief for a child with:
- A serious illness or permanent disability
- Speech & language therapy or educational assessments
- Hospital travel, overnight stays, and hygiene products
Example: If you spend €1,000 on speech therapy, you can claim €200 back (20%).
Kidney Patients’ Expenses
- Hospital dialysis patients: Claim travel expenses for hospital visits
- Home dialysis patients: Claim tax relief on electricity, telephone, and laundry bills
Example: Home dialysis patients can claim €4,425 per year for electricity expenses alone!
How to Claim Tax Relief on Medical Expenses
You must claim your tax relief within 4 years of paying for healthcare.
For PAYE Workers (Employees)
- Log into myAccount on Revenue.ie
- Click “Manage your tax for the current year”
- Select “Add new credits” > “Health expenses”
- Upload details & submit your claim
Refunds are processed within 5 working days!
For Self-Employed Individuals
- Log into ROS (Revenue Online Service)
- Fill out the Health Expenses section in your annual tax return
Keep your receipts for 6 years in case Revenue requests them!
Conclusion: Don’t Miss Out on Tax Relief!
Many people forget to claim medical expenses, leaving money on the table! Whether it’s GP visits, prescriptions, dental work, or even nursing home care, you could be entitled to a significant tax refund.
Pro Tip: Keep all medical receipts and use Revenue’s Receipt Tracker to store them safely.
Do you think you’re due a tax refund? Fill in our 90-second Tax Refund Form (I’ll insert the link here) to find out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can claim tax relief for expenses from the last four years.
Yes! As long as you paid the bill, you can claim relief for any family member or any other person.
You can only claim relief on the amount you paid out-of-pocket (not reimbursed by insurance).
Yes! You can claim relief if the medical practitioner is registered in that country.
Travel & accommodation expenses may also be claimed if treatment was unavailable in Ireland.
You can choose to claim:
- In the year you received treatment
- In the year you paid for it
Most online claims via myAccount are processed within 5 working days.
There are additional tax credits available to those with dependents:
Dependent Relative Tax Credit: If you financially support a relative who cannot maintain themselves due to age or infirmity, you may qualify. The dependent relative does not need to live in Ireland, and their income must not exceed €14,795.
Incapacitated Child Tax Credit: If your child has a permanent physical or mental incapacity preventing them from supporting themselves, you may be eligible for this credit. The condition must be severe enough that even with medical intervention, the child is unlikely to maintain employment.
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Do you think you're due a tax refund? Fill in our 90-second Tax Refund Form to find out.