Claiming dental medical expenses

A Primal Nut

Hi,

On the revenue website and on various forms it clearly states you can claim for medical expenses incurred on your own behalf. However a number of people suggest getting your parents or another relative to pay for you in order to claim back the expenses? Is there really a difference? Can someone explain. I don't understand why there would be a difference.

Thanks.

Ticktactoe

A Primal Nut wrote: »

Hi,

On the revenue website and on various forms it clearly states you can claim for medical expenses incurred on your own behalf. However a number of people suggest getting your parents or another relative to pay for you in order to claim back the expenses? Is there really a difference? Can someone explain. I don't understand why there would be a difference.

Thanks.

If you are working but not paying any tax then you could not qualify for any relief on your medical expenses as it is 'Tax relief' so if your parents are paying tax then they could claim back the relief.
If you are paying tax but paying it in the 20% bracket but your parents are paying it in the 41% bracket then it would be better that your parents pay for the expenses and claim it back as they will get the Tax relief @ 41%. It is important to note tho that, that rule has change for 2009 expenses going forward and that medical expense relief will only be given @ 20%.
So for 2008 and going back four years, if your parent are paying tax at the 41% tax rate then they would be able to claim 41% back instead of 20%.
If you are working and pay tax in the 41% bracket then you are better off paying for the expenses yourself and claiming it back as it would be of no benefit for your parents to claim.
Hope that helps!

A Primal Nut

Ah yes now I understand. Thanks a lot. Do I have to claim at the end of the year? My dental appointment was 2nd January 2009.:(

Ticktactoe

A Primal Nut wrote: »

Ah yes now I understand. Thanks a lot. Do I have to claim at the end of the year? My dental appointment was 2nd January 2009.:(

Unfortunatley yes. You can only claim relief on past years so its 2010 for you.
Something to look forward to maybe!

Dapos

Hey,

Sorry to hijack this thread but i have a question on dental benifit under the Treatment Benefit Scheme.

So i know i qualify (i rang the revenue) and i guess i qualify becaus ei am 24 and i have made 39 PRSI contributions.

But i see that when i am 25 i will have to make 260 contribution! So i won't qualify next year for a dental benifit for an annual check-up.

Am i missing something here?

Here is a link to the info i'm basing this on:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/disability-and-illness/treatment_benefit_scheme

Ticktactoe

Dapos wrote: »

Hey,

Sorry to hijack this thread but i have a question on dental benifit under the Treatment Benefit Scheme.

So i know i qualify (i rang the revenue) and i guess i qualify becaus ei am 24 and i have made 39 PRSI contributions.

But i see that when i am 25 i will have to make 260 contribution! So i won't qualify next year for a dental benifit for an annual check-up.

Am i missing something here?

Here is a link to the info i'm basing this on:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/social-welfare/social-welfare-payments/disability-and-illness/treatment_benefit_scheme

The 260 contributions must be made over a number of years not just one!

Dapos

Ticktactoe wrote: »

The 260 contributions must be made over a number of years not just one!

I realise it doesn't have to be over one year! I have been working for 2 and a half years and i did work experience and part-time work etc so i guess this is why i have over 39 contributions.

But i get paid monthly so i only have 12 contributions a year. To make up the 260 contributions it will take me years to qualify again when i'm 25.

Is this correct.

Ticktactoe

Dapos wrote: »

I realise it doesn't have to be over one year! I have been working for 2 and a half years and i did work experience and part-time work etc so i guess this is why i have over 39 contributions.

But i get paid monthly so i only have 12 contributions a year. To make up the 260 contributions it will take me years to qualify again when i'm 25.

Is this correct.

Im just taking a stab at this but i presume it is a contribution a week so it would be four contributions a month? Someone might be able to clarify this a bit better?
If i were you I would contact Department of social and family affairs. They would be able to clear this up for you.

The_Conductor

Ticktactoe wrote: »

Im just taking a stab at this but i presume it is a contribution a week so it would be four contributions a month? Someone might be able to clarify this a bit better?
If i were you I would contact Department of social and family affairs. They would be able to clear this up for you.

Correct.
Its done on a weekly basis- i.e. 52.18 contributions per annum.