Claiming medical expenses tax releif for treatments abroad.

CiniO

In short - I landed in A&E with suspicion of heart problems. This was luckily excluded, but doctor gave me a letter for my GP so she could give me referral for abdominal ultrasound.

Instead of going to GP, I went abroad (within EU), got private specialist visit where he did ultrasound on the spot, and reffered for colonoscopy. Colonoscopy was also done in private clinic abroad, and as everything turned out allright, doctor prescribed some medecines only.

Now - can I claim tax releif for specialist visit with ultrasound + colonoscopy + prescription medicines, provided I didn't get initial referral letter from my GP for ultrasound?

gerrybbadd

Generally speaking, you can only get tax relief for treatments abroad, so long as those treatments aren't available in the state.

It sounds like those treatments are pretty common here, so there may be no relief due

nompere

gerrybbadd wrote: »

Generally speaking, you can only get tax relief for treatments abroad, so long as those treatments aren't available in the state.

It sounds like those treatments are pretty common here, so there may be no relief due

That's not what Revenue say. This is copied from their own notes:

Can I claim relief on the cost of medical treatment obtained outside the State?

Yes, you may claim for expenses incurred abroad. 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 provided the expenses incurred are in association with the services of a practitioner or in connection with diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner.

Tax relief will only be allowed where the maintenance or treatment in a hospital is in connection with the services of a practitioner and/or, diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner.

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.


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

What may be excluded is the cost of travel when the treatment is available here. If the treatment isn't avaialble here then the cost of the travel is also allowed.