Tax Tips

Claiming Tax Back – The Most Frequently Asked Questions

Irish Tax Rebates: Most Frequently Asked Questions

Here at Irish Tax Rebates, we receive a lot of questions from our clients via phone, e-mail and social media each week regarding the process of claiming tax back. We have compiled the answers for our most frequently asked questions into this article to help guide those interested in getting money back.

How much of a tax rebate could I get back?

That depends on the level of overpayment on tax, the tax credits applicable and several other factors. The average tax rebate for Irish Tax Rebates customers is €1,092 with individual rebates issued by Irish Tax Rebates reaching as high as €20,000 and more.

What tax can I claim back?

Tax rebates can result from overpayment of USC and income tax. You may also be able to claim tax back on tuition fees, dental or medical expenses paid over the last 4 years. If you have changed personal circumstances and got married or divorced in the last 4 years, it is also important to check if you are due tax back. Other tax credits relating to your family that you may be eligible to claim are Employing a Carer, Dependent Relative which is worth €245 per year or the Single Person Child Carer Credit.

Many PAYE workers are not aware of what tax relief they can claim by way of flat rate expenses. Flat rate expenses are expenses that are incurred in the performance of the duties of employment and are directly related to the nature of employment, for example; tools or uniforms.

Depending on what your occupation is, one cannot assume that the Revenue Commissioners have all the correct information. Flat rate expenses are allowable at your higher rate of tax; therefore, this can be quite a valuable tax credit!

How many years can you claim tax back for?

You can claim a tax rebate for the previous 4 years. Even if your Statement of Liability from Revenue does not indicate that any tax back is due, it is still worth having it checked with an expert tax back service such as ourselves at Irish Tax Rebates, as Revenue will not check if you are due tax back on tax credits you are not currently claiming.

Mistakes do happen and many potential rebates unfortunately go unclaimed. Once it is more than 4 years after the end of that tax year, you are unable to check or claim tax back for that tax year. It is therefore worth requesting a tax review at least once every 12 months.

Who can claim tax back?

If over the last 4 years you have been taxed incorrectly while in employment, have paid emergency tax, have been made redundant, went on maternity leave, experienced a gap in employment, have undertaken a fee-paying college course or paid medical expenses, you may be eligible for tax back. 3 out of every 4 Irish Tax Rebates customers have been found eligible for a tax rebate.

Do I need to have copies of receipts for expenses?

Yes, it is necessary to have copies of receipts for any expenses that you wish to claim tax relief on. If you cannot locate the receipts for medical or dental expenses, contact your doctor, clinic or dentist and ask them to re-send you a copy.

Send a copy of your receipts to Irish Tax Rebates – please note, we cannot return these as they are required for Revenue records so ensure to make a copy of each receipt for yourself.

I’ve since moved away from Ireland, can I still claim a tax refund?

If you have lived and worked in Ireland over the last 4 years, you may be eligible for a tax rebate and can apply to claim tax back regardless of where you live now in the world. This also includes the current year, so you don’t have to wait until the end of the tax year, you just need the date you ceased employment and the date you left the country to apply.

How much will it cost to claim a rebate?

Irish Tax Rebates has the highest average tax rebate in Ireland and the lowest fee. This means you’re guaranteed the highest rebate possible. Plus, no rebate, no fee, no catch! If you’re not entitled to any tax back, we don’t charge a fee, so you have nothing to lose. To get the ball rolling, you can apply for your tax back online today.

Still have questions? Check out our Complete Guide: Irish Tax FAQ’s where we cover the top 30 Irish tax frequently asked questions!

Claim your tax back

Terms and Conditions

1. Authorisation to act as agent

I, the undersigned, declare to the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland, that I authorise

Irish Tax Rebates (TAIN 66436K)
1 Leinster Street
Athy
Co Kildare

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 Irish Tax Rebates, or for a maximum period of 4 years.

2. Authorisation for Agent to receive refunds on behalf of client

I authorise the transfer of any refund or repayment of PAYE/Income Levy/Universal Social Charge due to me by the Revenue Commissioners by electronic funds transfer to the following bank account which is held by Irish Tax Rebates:

BIC Code: AIBKIE2D
IBAN Number: IE55AIBK93336808365254
Name of Account Holder: Irish Tax Rebates

I understand that any refund made by the Revenue Commissioners to my agent, Irish Tax Rebates, on my behalf is refunded in a similar manner as if same were being refunded directly to me and that once the refund is transferred into the bank account nominated by me I have no further call upon the Revenue Commissioners in respect of same. I understand that Irish Tax Rebates is acting as my agent and is solely responsible to me in respect of any refund received by them on my behalf. I further understand that my agent Irish Tax Rebates is an independent entity and that the Revenue Commissioners make no endorsement of my agent or any such agency and cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for problems encountered by me in dealing with them. I understand and agree that Irish Tax Rebates will input its own bank account details on the Revenue record for the duration of this mandate and will remove these details on the cessation of the mandate. I confirm that I am aware of, and agree to, the payment of the fees charged by Irish Tax Rebates in respect of the services carried out on my behalf and that this fee will be deducted from any amount refunded by Revenue and that the balance of this amount will be paid to me.

3. 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 Irish Tax Rebates to support any refund, credit claims or claims for allowances and reliefs made to Revenue on my behalf of Irish Tax Rebates. I confirm that I will provide details of all my sources of income to Irish Tax Rebates.

I understand that I am 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 Irish Tax Rebates will be required to produce same to Revenue upon request.

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