It may come as a surprise to learn that a significant number of nurses and nursing assistants in Ireland end up paying more tax than they should. As such, if you are a nurse or nursing assistant, there is a good chance you are eligible to claim back some of the tax you have paid over the past four years.
There are various tax credits for nurses and flat rate expenses for nurses available, so read on here to determine whether you have been overpaying tax and if you’re due a tax rebate.
Flat-Rate Expenses for Nurses
Flat-rate expenses cover the costs of the equipment you need to carry out your job. These costs must be incurred while performing your job and be directly related to the nature of your work, such as a uniform and PPE equipment.
And as the name suggests, the amounts of flat rate expenses for medical and healthcare professionals that can be claimed back are fixed (flat-rate), and these rates are negotiated between Revenue and your nursing union officials.
Can Nurses Claim Tax Back on Uniforms?
One of the most common questions we get asked from workers in the healthcare industry is, “can nurses claim tax back uniforms?” and yes, uniforms expenses are a tax relief for nurses. In fact, nurses are eligible to claim up to €1,172 tax back for four years of expenses incurred from purchasing a uniform necessary to complete their work in a hospital. Additionally, nursing assistants can claim up to €841 tax back for four years of expenses related to purchasing the uniform necessary to complete their work in a hospital.
How Much Tax Relief Can Nurses Claim?
Tax relief available will depend on your annual gross income, i.e. whether you pay tax at the standard rate (20%) or at the higher rate (40%) of income tax. It also depends on what position you hold in the healthcare sector, i.e. whether you are a nurse, nursing assistant, chef etc.
What Can I Claim on Tax as a Nurse?
Aside from flat-rate expenses, there are other tax reliefs and tax credits available to nursing staff that entitle you to get tax back; these are the most common we find our customers are owed:
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Tuition Fees
Most nurses have been or are still studying, either on a full-time or part-time basis and may be eligible for tax back on college fees. You may also be able to claim tax back if you have children who have been studying for the past four years. Relief is given at 20% and can be deducted for qualifying tuition fees, up to a maximum of €7k per person, per course.
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Medical and Dental Expenses
As a nurse, you are also eligible to claim tax back on any medical expenses or dental expenses incurred over the past four years at 20%, provided you haven’t already claimed the money back from an insurance policy, a public or local authority, or another source like compensation.
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Marriage Tax Relief
You are automatically registered for joint assessment as soon as you inform Revenue of your marriage. However, if Revenue hasn’t been informed of your marriage, then you will continue to be assessed as a single person. The marriage tax credit may be available to you or it could be the case that it is more tax-beneficial to have you jointly assessed with your spouse. Again, this will depend on both your and your spouse’s annual gross income.
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Permanent Health Insurance
Many nurses avail of permanent health insurance, and any medical professional who pays a premium to have their income protected in the event of a disability through an accident or some form of injury is entitled to tax relief. This is in respect of premiums paid within the year.
The portion that qualifies for this relief is the portion of the premium attributable to the provision of Permanent Health Benefit.
Are you a Nurse in Ireland? Claim your Tax Back Today
Apply for your tax back online with Irish Tax Rebates; simply fill out our 60-second application form, and we will take care of the hard work for you. We can claim back all flat-rate expenses for medical and healthcare professionals, as well as any other tax credits or deductions you’re entitled to.
Don’t believe us? Just take a look at one of our Rebate Superstars, a Nurse who secured themselves €10,366 tax back. It could be you!
New Customers: Apply here.
Existing Customers: Apply For Additional Rebate
