a woman who receives the dependent relative tax credit pushing an elderly relative

Understanding Dependent Relative Tax Credit

In this Article

Supporting a loved one who needs help can be expensive, but the good news? There’s a way to reduce your tax bill if you’re financially helping them. The Dependent Relative Tax Credit can make a real difference, saving you hundreds of euros each year. In fact, if you’ve never claimed before, you could even get a rebate for the past four years. That’s money back in your pocket!

Whether you’re supporting a parent, a child, or another family member, this guide will show you exactly what you need to know—and how to claim it. Let’s dive in!

What is the Dependent Relative Tax Credit?

The Dependent Relative Tax Credit is a benefit available in Ireland that reduces your income tax if you’re financially supporting a dependent relative. This could be a parent, a child, or another family member who can’t maintain themselves due to age or illness. It’s a great way to ease the financial burden of caregiving while getting some relief at tax time.

Who Qualifies as a Dependent Relative?

To claim the tax credit, the relative you’re supporting must meet certain conditions. Here’s a quick rundown:

Eligible Relatives

  • Parents or surviving civil partners (widowed or not).
  • Relatives who are incapacitated due to age or illness.
  • Children living with you, if they care for you due to your own old age or infirmity.

Additional Rules

  • Your dependent relative doesn’t need to live in Ireland, except in cases where you’re claiming for a child on whose services you depend.
  • Their income must not exceed the annual limit (€18,028 for 2025). This includes all sources, such as social welfare, pensions, or deposit interest.

How Much Can You Claim?

The Dependent Relative Tax Credit is worth €305 for 2025 (€245 for the years 2021–2024). If you’re supporting two dependents, that’s a potential €610 in tax relief per year!

Income Limits

If your dependent’s total income exceeds these thresholds, you won’t be eligible:

  • 2025: €18,028
  • 2024: €17,404
  • 2023: €16,780

How to Claim the Dependent Relative Tax Credit

Online Application

  1. Log into your Revenue myAccount.
  2. Select Manage your tax for the current year under PAYE Services.
  3. Click on Claim tax credits and choose Dependent Relative Tax Credit under “You and your family.”

Claim for Previous Years

You can claim tax relief for up to 4 years retroactively:

  1. Log into myAccount.
  2. Click on Review your tax for the previous 4 years.
  3. Request a Statement of Liability and fill in the Income Tax Return.

By Post

Alternatively, you can submit the relevant forms (DR1 or DR2) to your Revenue office. However, postal claims might take longer to process.

Claiming for Health Expenses

Even if you don’t qualify for the Dependent Relative Tax Credit, you can still claim tax relief on medical expenses paid for your relative. Eligible expenses include:

  • Doctors’ bills.
  • Prescribed medicines.
  • Nursing home fees with 24-hour care.

This relief is available at your highest rate of tax, making it another way to reduce your financial burden.

Related Tax Credits You Should Know About

If you’re exploring tax relief options, here are some related credits and deductions that could be helpful:

For more details, check out our blog posts on these topics!

Conclusion

The Dependent Relative Tax Credit is a valuable benefit for those supporting loved ones who need financial help. By understanding the eligibility criteria and applying correctly, you could save hundreds of euros. Whether you’re claiming for the current year or previous years, this credit offers meaningful relief for caregivers.

Need help with your taxes? Contact us today, and let us make the process simple and hassle-free!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Dependent Relative Tax Credit is worth €305 per year in 2025 (€245 in 2021–2024) and reduces your income tax liability if you’re supporting a qualifying dependent.

A dependent relative is someone who can’t support themselves due to old age or illness. This includes parents, surviving civil partners, and children who care for you due to your own age or infirmity.

No, the Dependent Relative Tax Credit is claimed by the person providing financial support, not the dependent themselves.

You may need to provide evidence like bank statements or transfer records showing you’ve contributed to your relative’s living costs.

Yes! Our team can guide you through the application process to ensure you don’t miss out on any entitlements.

At Anytime Tax Refunds, we specialize in helping individuals claim tax refunds they might not even know they’re entitled to. From health expense claims to home carer tax credits, our expert team can assist you every step of the way. If you’re ready to maximize your tax refund, start by filling out our tax refund form today! We assist with a range of tax credits and reliefs, including health expense claims, home carer tax credits, and incapacitated child tax credits.


Processing times depend on whether you apply online or by post. Online claims are usually faster, and we’ll help you streamline the process.

More Tax Tips

Blocks spelling out Budget 2025

Budget 2025

Budget 2025 represents the largest social welfare package in the history of the State, offering €2.6 billion in supports to households across Ireland.

Read More »

3 out of 4 PAYE workers are due a refund, claim yours today!

Terms and Conditions

1. Authorisation to Act as Agent

I authorise Anytime Tax Refunds Limited, TAIN 76174M of Tubbercurry Co. Sligo to act as my agent in dealing with all aspects of the filing of my Irish income tax return, including the submission of refund or credit claims, allowances or reliefs.

I confirm that all documentary evidence of entitlement to credits/reliefs claimed and taxable income sources, will be held for a period of 6 years beginning at the end of the year of assessment to which the Return of Income and/or claim relates by myself.

I confirm that this authorisation will remain in force until Revenue is formally notified of its cessation by either myself or Anytime Tax Refunds Limited, or for a maximum period of 4 years.

2.Terms and Conditions of Authorisation

I understand that Tax law provides for both civil penalties and criminal sanctions for the failure to make a return, the making of a false return, facilitating the making of a false return, or claiming tax credits, allowances or reliefs which are not due.

I confirm that I will provide the necessary documentation to Anytime Tax Refunds Limited to support any refund, credit claims or claims for allowances and reliefs made to Revenue on my behalf by Anytime Tax Refunds Limited.

I confirm that I will provide details of all my sources of income to Anytime Tax Refunds Limited.

I understand that the person selected in Section 1 above is required to retain all documentation relating to any refund or credit or allowance or relief claimed by the agent on my behalf for a period of 6 years beginning at the end of the year of assessment to which the Return of Income and/or claim relates and that Anytime Tax Refunds Limited will be required to produce same to Revenue upon request.