In short
You can claim tax relief at 20% on many medical costs you paid for yourself or someone else, as long as insurance didn't cover them. €1,000 of qualifying bills means up to €200 back. You can claim for the last four years, and you should keep receipts for six.
What usually qualifies
- GP and consultant fees
- Prescribed medicines and drugs
- Hospital charges, including in-patient charges
- Non-routine dental treatment, such as crowns, root canal treatment and orthodontics. Your dentist completes a form for this.
- Physiotherapy and similar treatment when prescribed by a doctor
- Certain specialist items and treatments, such as some medical appliances
What doesn't
- Routine dental care, such as cleaning, scaling and ordinary fillings
- Routine eye tests and glasses
- Anything your health insurance paid back to you
Nursing home fees are treated differently and may get relief at your highest rate of tax. Nursing home fees guide. Medical card holders may also pay a reduced rate of USC.
Who can claim
You can claim for costs you paid for yourself or for anyone else, such as a child, partner or parent. The person who paid makes the claim.
How to claim
Claim in Revenue myAccount, either as you go during the year or after the year ends in your income tax return. Keep your receipts for six years, as Revenue can ask to see them. You don't send them in unless asked.
Get your tax back
Missed the medical expenses relief? You can still get the tax back as a tax refund for every year since 2022. We check every year and claim it for you: pay nothing upfront. Check my tax refund.
Sources
Revenue: Health and medical expenses, on revenue.ie · Citizens Information: Tax relief for medical expenses.
Questions for Revenue directly? Call the PAYE helpline on 01 738 3636 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm), or see all Revenue contact numbers.
General information, not advice on your own situation. TaxMind checks your record before filing anything.
