Dental Care Tax Relief

arctictree

I'm just filling in my tax return for this year and on the Med 2 form it says that routine dental work is not allowed for.

Now I can find lots of information on the web about what is and what is not covered but can anyone explain to me why the difference?

relax carry on

The MED 2 form is filled in by a dentist not you. The dentist knows what is allowed and what isn't.

https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/dental-expenses.aspx

SureYWouldntYa

The reason it's not allowed is "routine" dental is generally considered cosmetic (e.g. cleaning) and that's why it's not allowed, but you won't get a wisdom tooth for cosmetic reasons

Same reason you can't claim for glasses, the difference between the €50 pair you need to see and the €500 pair will be all cosmetic so they just don't allow glasses at all

AlmightyCushion

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120908961#Comment_120908961

You also get a free pair of glasses with PRSI so essentially they can say there is no need for you to pay for a pair as the state is giving you a free pair.

arctictree

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120908961#Comment_120908961

I would argue that fillings and extractions arent cosmetic and should be included.

SureYWouldntYa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120910108#Comment_120910108

I agree but thems the rules, Revenue aren’t always fair

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120908961#Comment_120908961

This is incorrect.

Many of the items on which tax relief can be claimed are generally considered to be almost exclusively cosmetic such as veneers, composite tip replacements, orthodontics etc.

Tax relief can be claimed in what are considered the more expensive treatment options, prior to circa 2010 patients could actually claim 40% tax relief, which was a huge benefit. Why tax relief can’t be claimed on all dental treatments is something I’ve never understood, as the current reliefs seem to favour only those who can afford the more expensive treatments whilst ignoring those who require those treatments which are necessary to preserve a healthy dentition. Just another quirk of the Irish tax system.

SureYWouldntYa

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120910516#Comment_120910516

You’ll get veneers once though (hopefully), and you likely won’t get an orthodontist to fix your bite a third time in a year cause you didn’t like the first two, but you might get your teeth cleaned six times a year by choice if you like white teeth. Theyre cosmetic but you more than likely wont do it often for cosmetic reasons

I agree its unfair that all treatment is not available for relief, hopefully that will come at some stage

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120912264#Comment_120912264

You’re confusing the issue with references to cosmetic!