Medical expenses claim - Orthotics

AugustusMinimus

Anyone know if Orthotics are allowable as a medical expense on your tax return. Was advised to get a set by my physio.

allthedoyles

if its an appliance its allowable.- get a note from your physio confirming the details .

Also not that Orthotics are liable for VAT at the rate of 0 % ( zero )

AugustusMinimus

I have an invoice from my phsyio showing his fees and the cost of a pair of orthotics.

Will suffice ?

nompere

Be careful. The Revenue leaflet says:

What is the meaning of 'Health Expenses'?

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

It also says:

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.

So if you've taken yourself off to the physio, without your doctor sending you there, then you're not entitled to any relief.

http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it6.html

AugustusMinimus

Interesting.

I actually went to A&E with a foot complaint. Had it X-Rayed. Doctor told me I had no broken bones and that I should see a physio.

Went to the physio. Said it was a muscle issue in my foot. He then recommended that I get a pair of orthotics or the issue would just keep coming back. I still have the receipt for A&E aswell, although I have no idea what doctor saw me.

The question is whether the doctor needed to make the appointment for me. Doesn't seem to say this though.

AugustusMinimus

Anyone like to confirm if my reasoning in my last reply is reasonable ?