General Information
Introduction
You may claim tax relief in respect of the cost of certain medical expenses paid by you. You cannot claim tax relief for any expenditure which:
- has been, or will be, reimbursed by another body such as the VHI, Quinn Healthcare, Hibernian Aviva Health, the Health Service Executive or other body or person
- has been, or will be, the subject of a compensation payment
- relates to routine dental and ophthalmic care.
Further details on the main medical expenses that qualify for relief are given in the Items of Expense section.
If you have a query regarding any medical expense, you may contact your Regional PAYE Lo Call Service.
Is there a time limit for making a claim?
Yes. A claim for tax relief must be made within 4 years after the end of the tax year to which the claim relates.
In respect of whom may I claim the tax relief?
Claims for up to and including the 2006 tax year:
For these tax years, you may claim tax relief in respect of health expenses incurred in respect of:
- yourself and your spouse
- your children (or any other children who, for the year of the claim, are in custody of and maintained by the claimant) who are under 18 years of age and for those over 18 years of age who are receiving full-time education
- a relative of yours
- a non-relative who is aged 65 years (or over) or who is permanently incapacitated by reason of mental or physical infirmity.
Claims for 2007 and subsequent tax years:
You may claim tax relief in respect of any qualifying health expenses paid by you in respect of any individual.
Can I claim tax relief on the full cost of the Health Expenses?
Yes, in respect of the 2007 and subsequent tax years.
However, if your claim relates to any year up to and including 2006, the first €125 of your claim is disallowed where the expenses were incurred in respect of one person and €250 where expenses were incurred in respect of more than one person.
At which tax rate is the relief given?
The following table sets out the rate of tax at which relief is allowed over different years
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Expenses | Highest Rate | Highest Rate | Highest Rate | Highest Rate | Standard Rate |
| Nursing Home Expenditure | Highest Rate | Highest Rate | Highest Rate | Highest Rate | Highest Rate |
How is the tax relief given if I incur a Health Expense in one tax year and pay for it in a later tax year?
You can choose whether you want to claim the tax relief for the tax year in which the payments were made or for the tax year in which the expenses were incurred.
Example
A hospital stay in December 2007 cost €1,000. €700 was paid in December of 2007 and €300 was paid in May of 2008. You can claim relief in either of the following ways:
- claim tax relief on the €1,000 in the 2007 tax year, or
- claim tax relief on the €700 in the 2007 tax year and €300 in the 2008 tax year.
What if more than one individual contributes to the cost of qualifying health care?
Where more than one individual contributes to the cost of qualifying health care, each individual can claim relief in respect of the portion paid by him/her.
When can I make a claim?
Claims for tax relief for health expenses incurred in a tax year can only be made after the end of that year (however, see next question ).
I am a PAYE worker paying monthly nursing home fees for my mother – Is it possible for me to get the tax relief due on these fees through the PAYE system during the tax year instead of waiting until at the end of the tax year?
Yes, provided the nursing home is on the list of approved hospitals and nursing homes . However you must submit a claim on a completed Med 1 Form in the normal way at the end of each tax year.
How can I claim tax relief in respect of Health Expenses?
You may claim the tax relief by:
- claiming online via Revenue’s PAYE anytime service
- by completing
Form Med 1 – Health Expenses Claim for Tax Relief (PDF, 342KB) and submitting it to your local Revenue office - if you use a Form 11 (PDF, 657KB) to make a tax return and claim reliefs and credits, the amount of the health expenses claim may be entered at Panel I on the Form 11 and there is no need to complete a Form Med 1.
If the claim includes non-routine dental treatment (see Dental Expenses section), you must obtain a Form Med 2 – Dental Expenses (PDF, 80KB) – Certificate by Dental Practitioner which is signed and certified by the dental practitioner.
Do I need to submit receipts with my claim?
No, claims for health expenses are processed on the basis of the information shown on the claim form. In cases of doubt, the claimant will be contacted to clarify matters and may be asked to submit receipts.
Receipts and Form Med 2 need not be submitted with a health expenses claim; however you must keep all receipts for a period of six years in case your claim is subsequently chosen for detailed examination.
My neighbour works in my local tax office, can I ask to have my Health Expenses claim processed in a different tax office?
Yes, if a health expenses claim comes up for examination, the claimant has the option of having the claim examined by a Revenue office other than his/her local Revenue office. This option is available only where the claimant does not wish his/her local office to know the nature of the medical condition.
Can I claim relief on the cost of medical treatment obtained outside the State?
As regards treatment outside the State, the following expenses qualify for tax relief:
- the cost of qualifying treatment carried out by a practitioner (GP, consultant or dentist) provided such practitioner is entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practice medicine or dentistry there
- the cost of maintenance or treatment in a hospital, nursing home or clinic is allowable provided that the institution is on the Revenue list of approved hospitals and nursing homes.
Where the relevant qualifying health care is only available outside of the State, then the cost of reasonable travelling and accommodation expenses are also allowable. In such cases, the expenses of one person accompanying the patient may also be allowed where the condition of the patient requires it. Where the patient is a child, the expenses of one parent may generally be allowed and, exceptionally, of both parents where it is clear that both have to be in attendance.
Items of Expense
What category of Health Expenses qualify for tax relief?
Only health expenses incurred in the provision of ‘health care’ qualify for tax relief.
What is ‘health care’?
‘Health care’ is defined in tax law as meaning to prevention, diagnosis, alleviation or treatment of –
- an ailment
- an injury
- an infirmity
- a defect
- a disability
and includes care received by a woman in respect of a pregnancy as well as routine maternity care.
What is the meaning of ‘Health Expenses’?
Health expenses cover a wide variety of matters and include –
- Doctors’ and consultants’ fees
- Diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner
- Drugs/medicines prescribed by a doctor/dentist/consultant
- Maintenance or treatment in a hospital or approved nursing home (the hospital/nursing home must be approved by the Minister for Health and Children or approved for the purposes of health expenses relief by the Minister for Finance after consultation with the Minister for Health and Children). See list of approved hospitals and nursing homes
- Supply, maintenance or repair of any medical, surgical, dental or nursing appliance used on the advice of a practitioner
- Physiotherapy or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner
- Orthoptic or similar treatment prescribed by a practitioner
- Speech and language therapy carried out by a Speech and Language Therapist for a qualifying child, where a Speech and Language Therapist means an individual approved by the Minister for Health and Children
- Transport by ambulance
- Educational psychological assessments for a qualifying child, carried out by an Educational Psychologist who is registered with the Minister for Education and Science
- Certain items of expenditure in respect of a child suffering from a serious life threatening illness
- Kidney patients’ expenses (up to a maximum amount depending on whether the patient uses hospital dialysis, home dialysis or CAPD). See Kidney Patients section below.
- Specialised dental treatment
- ‘In vitro’ fertilisation.
The following paragraphs outline the main issues that arise in health expenses claims.
Must the hospital / nursing home / maternity home or other similar institution be approved?
Yes. Only payments in respect of maintenance and treatment in a hospital, nursing home/maternity home or other similar institution approved by the Minister for Finance (after consultation with the Minister for Health and Children) qualify for relief. See list of approved hospitals and nursing homes.
Note: If your claim refers to a hospital/nursing home which does not appear on the list of ‘approved’ institutions, enquiries as to whether such hospital/nursing home is, in fact, an approved institution for the purpose of health expenses tax relief can be made to your local Revenue office.
What does ‘Practitioner’ mean?
Practitioner means any person who is:
- registered in the register established under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007
- registered in the register established under section 26 of the Dentists Act 1985
- in relation to health care provided outside the State, entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practice medicine or dentistry there.
Which drugs and medicines can I claim for?
Only the cost of drugs and medicines supplied by a pharmacist, on prescription from a medical practitioner, qualify for relief. (However, see paragraph re coeliacs and diabetics).
Which diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner qualify for relief from income tax?
Claims for relief under this heading generally refer to the cost of procedures or treatments carried out by persons who are not qualifying practitioners on patients who are referred for such procedures or treatment by their own doctor. However, whilst tax relief may be allowed in respect of procedures or treatments carried out, relief is not due in respect of the cost of drugs, medicines, lotions etc., prescribed by the person providing the treatment
In the case of a psychologist/psychotherapist, relief can only be allowed where the psychologist/psychotherapist is a qualified practitioner as outlined in paragraph What does Practitioner mean? or where a patient is referred by a psychiatrist for a diagnostic procedure.
Which treatments prescribed by a practitioner qualify for relief from income tax?
Examples of allowable treatments under the heading physiotherapy include treatment by a chiropractor, osteopath and bonesetter. Acupuncture treatment is not allowable unless carried out by a person who is a qualified practitioner as outlined in paragraph What does Practitioner mean?.
I am a coeliac and follow a special diet, can I claim tax relief on the cost of my food?
Yes. The cost of gluten-free foods manufactured specifically for coeliacs is an allowable expense for the purposes of a health expenses claim. A letter from a doctor stating that the individual in respect of whom the claim is made has the condition is acceptable. If receipts are requested, qualifying receipts are not confined to those from a chemist – receipts from shops, supermarkets, etc., in respect of gluten-free food products manufactured specifically for coeliac patients are also acceptable.
I am a diabetic and follow a special diet, can I claim tax relief on the cost of my food?
Yes. The cost of food products manufactured specifically for diabetics is an allowable expense for the purposes of a health expenses claim. A letter from a doctor confirming that the individual in respect of whom the claim is made is diabetic is acceptable. If receipts are requested, qualifying receipts are not confined to those from a chemist, doctor, etc. – receipts from shops, supermarkets, etc., in respect of food products manufactured specifically for diabetics are also acceptable.
Can I claim for the cost of Educational Psychologists and/or Speech and Language Therapists?
Yes, but only in respect of a child who is either under the age of 18 years or if over 18 years is in full-time education. Health expenses relief is allowed for expenditure incurred in respect of an Educational psychological assessment carried out by an Educational Psychologist and incurred in respect of Speech and Language Therapy carried out by a qualified Speech and Language Therapist.
Can I claim tax relief on the cost of paying for constant nursing care in the home of a seriously ill person?
In cases of serious illness, where qualified nurses are engaged on the advice of a medical practitioner to provide constant nursing care in the patient’s home, tax relief under the heading of health expenses may be allowed where the following conditions are satisfied:
- A medical certificate can (if requested) be provided which –
- shows the nature of the patient’s illness
- states that constant nursing care by fully-qualified nurses in the patient’s home is required, and
- covers the full period for which home nursing is being claimed
- The nurses providing the nursing care are fully qualified and their full names, addresses and qualifications can be supplied
- Receipts can, if requested, be provided in respect of all payments to the nurses and, where necessary, a breakdown of the payments is provided. This is to ensure that relief is given only in respect of the amounts paid which directly relate to the rendering of nursing care and not to the nurses expenses.
I pay for additional nursing care for a patient in a nursing home, can I claim tax relief for this expense?
Where the claim is in respect of a patient in a hospital or nursing home, relief may also be allowed in respect of payments made to qualified nurses to provide additional nursing care over and above that ordinarily provided by the institution if –
- the conditions at paragraphs (2) and (3) of Can I claim tax relief on the cost of paying for constant nursing care in the home of a seriously ill person? above are satisfied; and
- a medical certificate can, if requested, be submitted which –
- shows the nature of the patient’s illness
- states that constant nursing care over and above that ordinarily provided in the institution is required, indicating the necessity for such additional care and
- covers the full period for which additional nursing is being claimed
Can I claim tax relief on the cost of the supply, maintenance or repair of a surgical, dental or nursing appliance?
Tax relief may be claimed in respect of the costs incurred on the supply, maintenance or repair of any medical, surgical, dental or nursing appliance used on the advice of a practitioner. Where there is any doubt that the appliance in question is a medical, surgical, dental or nursing appliance, a certificate from a medical practitioner may be requested. The certificate should:
- state the nature of the patient’s illness,
- confirm that the appliance is being used on the advice of the medical practitioner
- outline how the appliance will help to prevent, diagnose, alleviate or treat the ailment, injury, infirmity, defect or disability from which the patient is suffering..
The claim will be considered in the light of the information submitted and relief given where Revenue is satisfied that the appliance may be regarded as a medical, surgical, dental or nursing appliance.
Examples of appliances for which relief is allowable include
- Glucometer machine: The cost of the provision of a glucometer machine on the advice of a medical practitioner for a diabetic.
- Hearing aid: The cost of the provision of a hearing aid on the advice of a medical practitioner.
- Orthopaedic bed/chair: Where the patient is suffering from a specific illness or disability, the cost of the provision of an orthopaedic bed or chair on the advice of a medical practitioner.
- Wheelchair/Wheelchair Lift: Expenses incurred in the provision of a wheelchair or wheelchair lift for a disabled person, on the advice of a medical practitioner, but not for alteration to the building to facilitate a lift.
- Exercise bicycle: Where medical evidence indicates that this is necessary in the circumstances set out in paragraph,‘What is health care?’.
- Computer: Where medical evidence is produced that a computer is necessary to alleviate communication problems of a severely handicapped person.
- False eye:The cost of a false eye is regarded as an expense incurred on the purchase of a medical appliance.
- Wig: Where medical evidence indicates that it is necessary, in the circumstances set out in paragraph,‘What is health care?’.
Examples of Appliances for which relief is NOT allowable
- Car (for disabled person): The cost of the provision of a specially adapted car for a disabled person.
- Construction Work: The cost of structural alterations or improvements to a private residence to facilitate an incapacitated person.
- Telephone: The installation of a telephone, the rental of same or the cost of calls.
- Exception
Certain categories of kidney patients, child oncology patients, children with life threatening illnesses and children with permanent disabilities; see paragraph Telephone.
- Exception
Can I claim for relief on the cost of IVF treatment?
For the purposes of Section 469 Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA )1997 ‘In Vitro Fertilisation’ may be regarded as treatment in respect of infertility and relief may be allowed in respect of the cost of this treatment where the treatment is carried out by a practitioner (within the meaning of Section 469 of the TCA 1997).
If the treatment involves maintenance in a hospital (i.e. overnight), relief may be allowed in respect of any expenditure incurred in respect of such maintenance where the hospital is on the Revenue list of approved hospitals.
I have a trained guide dog supplied by the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, can I claim Health Expenses in respect of the costs relating to my dog?
Where a blind person maintains a trained guide dog supplied by the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, an annual sum of €825 may be claimed as a health expense and after the first claim this is given as a tax credit in the annual certificate of Tax Credits.
Claimants need not provide evidence of such claims. However, a letter from Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind confirming that the claimant is a registered owner of a guide dog should be submitted for the first claim for relief. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind has been notified of this requirement.
Note: Assistance dogs provided to autistic children do not qualify for the relief.
Is tax relief allowed on the cost of travel relating to health issues?
Tax relief may be claimed in respect of the cost of transport by ambulance. However, where regular continuing treatment or consultation is required and the patient has to travel long distances, tax relief may be claimed in respect of the cost of the travelling other than by ambulance. It is not the intention that this tax relief be granted for minor local travelling expenses or occasional travelling [e.g. to undergo an operation (unless by ambulance)].
In addition to these, please refer to –
- Paragraph ‘Can I claim relief on the cost of medical treatment obtained outside the State?’
- Paragraph ‘My child has a life threatening illness/permanent disability and attends hospital on a regular basis’
- Paragraph ‘What Health Expenses can Kidney patients claim tax relief for?’ .
My child has a life threatening illness/permanent disability and attends hospital on a regular basis. I have large travel expenses and pay car parking fees, phone and accommodation costs. Can I claim tax relief on any of these expenses?
Apart from obvious health related expenditure, tax relief is also available in respect of other expenditure incurred in respect of children with life threatening illnesses (including child oncology patients) and children with permanent disabilities who require constant or regular hospital care. Constant or regular hospital care does not necessarily mean being permanently in hospital. However, it does imply regular hospital attendance or supervision appropriate to the serious illness. The qualifying items of expenditure are –
Travel
The following qualifies for relief –
- the cost incurred in transporting [unlimited journeys] the child and accompanying parents/guardians to and from any approved hospital
- the cost incurred by the parents/guardians of the child in visiting the hospital when the child is an ‘inpatient’ where such trips are shown to be essential to the treatment of the child.
If a private car is used, the cost of travel is determined at a rate as per kidney patients at kidney patients section. No relief is available for car parking fees.
Telephone
Where the child is being treated at home, a flat rate of €315 to include telephone rental and calls may be claimed where the expenses are incurred for purposes directly connected with the treatment of the child. The rate available in previous years is as follows:
| 2005 | €270 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | €285 |
| 2007 | €300 |
| 2008 | €315 |
Overnight accommodation
Payments made by the parent/guardian to a hospital, hotel or B&B in respect of overnight accommodation in or near the hospital where the child is a patient where such overnight stay is necessary for the treatment of the child.
Hygiene products and special clothing
The cost incurred in respect of these items subject to a maximum of €500 per year.
Note: Claims in respect of the cost of minding brothers/sisters of the patient while the parents/guardians attend the hospital are not allowable.
What Health Expenses can Kidney patients claim tax relief for?
Apart from obvious health related expenditure, tax relief is also available under the heading of health expenses in respect of the following:
Hospital dialysis patients
The cost of travelling to and from hospital is an allowable expense for the purposes of a health expenses claim. Where a private car is used, the claimant should specify the number of trips undertaken and the kilometres (or mileage) involved. See paragraph A of section on Kidney Patients for rates.
Home dialysis patients
Relief may be allowed under the following headings and at the rates shown in paragraph B of section on Kidney Patients.
- Electricity
- Laundry and protective clothing
- Telephone
- Travelling: Qualifying number of kilometres (mileage) at the appropriate rate per km/mile
Chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients
Relief may be allowed under the following headings and at the rates shown in paragraph C of section on Kidney Patients.
- Electricity
- Telephone
- Travelling: Qualifying number of kilometres (mileage) at the appropriate rate per km/mile
When making a tax relief claim for health expenses for a kidney patient, claimants should identify the appropriate category. Revenue is aware that it is possible for a patient to move from one category to another, depending on his/her condition. Where a change takes place during the course of a year, relief for each category should be apportioned as appropriate.
Routine Ophthalmic Care
Tax relief is not available for the cost of sight testing or the provision and maintenance of spectacles and contact lenses.
Dental Expenses
Which dental treatment expenses qualify for tax relief?
Tax legislation specifically excludes relief for expenditure incurred on the extraction, scaling and filling of teeth and the provision and repairing of artificial teeth or dentures. These items are excluded from relief even if there is an underlying medical condition that gives rise to the dental treatment or if the treatment in a particular case is considered to be of a non-routine nature.
A treatment for which relief is claimed must be considered in the light of the above exclusion (i.e. relief for the cost of any work carried out may not be allowed where the treatment is an extraction, scaling or filling of teeth, etc.)
If, however, the treatment is, for example, of an orthodontic nature, involving the extraction of a tooth as part of that treatment, relief would be allowed for the cost of the orthodontic treatment excluding the cost of the extraction.
An exception to this rule is the cost of the surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth carried out either in a hospital or in a dental surgery, which is allowable.
Claims for non-routine dental treatment
An individual claiming relief on Form Med 1 for non-routine dental treatment must hold a Form Med 2 (Dental) which is signed and certified by the dental practitioner. The forms are supplied to dentists through the Irish Dental Association.
A list of treatments for which relief may be allowed.
Non-routine dental treatment outside the State
Non-routine dental treatment obtained outside the State may be allowed provided the dentist is a qualified practitioner (i.e. entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practise dentistry there). A Form Med 2 – Dental Expenses (PDF, 80KB) – Certificate by Dental Practitioner must be completed by the dentist.
Kidney Patients
A. Hospital dialysis patients (where the patient attends hospital for treatment)
Relief in respect of expenditure incurred travelling to and from hospital (unlimited journeys for all years) may be allowed at the following rates –
| 2005 | €0.35 per mile or €0.22 per km |
|---|---|
| 2006 | €0.35 per mile or €0.22 per km |
| 2007 | €0.36 per mile or €0.23 per km |
| 2008 | €0.36 per mile or €0.23 per km |
B. Home dialysis patients (where the patient uses a dialysis machine at home).
Relief may be allowed in respect of expenditure up to the following amounts –
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | €1,440 | €1,505 | €1,565 | €1,935 |
| Laundry & protective clothing | €1,780 | €1,855 | €1,950 | €2,030 |
| Telephone | €270 | €285 | €300 | €315 |
| Travelling | €0.35 per mile or €0.22 per km | €0.35 per mile or €0.22 per km | €0.36 per mile or €0.23 per km | €0.36 per mile or €0.23 per km |
C. Chronic Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) patients (where the patient has treatment at home without the use of a dialysis machine)
Relief may be allowed in respect of expenditure incurred up to the following amounts –
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | €1,140 | €1,185 | €1,235 | €1,530 |
| Telephone | €270 | €285 | €300 | €315 |
| Travelling | €0.35 per mile or €0.22 per km | €0.35 per mile or €0.22 per km | €0.36 per mile or €0.23 per km | €0.36 per mile or €0.23 per km |
Note: It is possible for a patient to move from one category to another. Where this happens, relief for each category may be apportioned as appropriate.
Dental Treatments for which Tax Relief is Allowable
- Crowns
These are restorations fabricated outside the mouth and are permanently cemented to existing tooth tissue. - Veneers/Rembrandt Type Etched Fillings
These are a form of crown. - Tip Replacing
This is regarded as a crown where a large part of the tooth needs to be replaced and the replacement is made outside the mouth. - Gold Posts/Fibreglass posts
These are inserts in the nerve canal of a tooth, to hold a crown. - Gold Inlays
These are a smaller version of a gold crown. (Only allowable if fabricated outside of the mouth). - Endodontics – Root Canal Treatment
This involves the filling of the nerve canal and not the filling of teeth. - Periodontal Treatment
Root Planing is a treatment of periodontal (gum) disease. Currettage and Debridement is part of root planing. Gum Flaps is a gum treatment. Chrome Cobalt Splint if used in connection with periodontal treatment (if it contains teeth, relief is not allowable). Implants following treatments of periodontal (gum) disease, which included bone grafting and bone augmentation. - Orthodontic Treatment
This involves the provision of braces and similar treatments. - Surgical Extraction of Impacted Wisdom Teeth
The surgical removal of impacted teeth carried out either in a hospital or in a dental surgery is not regarded as ‘routine dental treatment’ and relief is therefore allowed for the cost of such surgical removals.
Note: An impacted tooth is one which is so firmly lodged in its socket that it cannot emerge through the gum in the normal way. The impaction may be caused by an overlying bone, or because the tooth has grown in such a way that it has become wedged in against another tooth. - Bridgework
Dental treatment consisting of an enamel-retained bridge or a tooth-supported bridge is allowable.
Note: Tax relief is not available for the cost of scaling, extraction and filling of teeth or the provision of artificial teeth or dentures.
AUG