Question about tax relief on medical expenses

cscook · 16-05-2019 8:12pm #1

I've seen/heard conflicting opinions on this, would appreciate if anybody can clarify.
I'm claiming for physio from my health insurer - I get back "up to €25 per visit", less the excess of €1.
Can I also claim tax relief on the balance at the end of the year, that would be on the remaining €35 per visit. From the Revenue website (and one physio clinic I looked at), I think I can because I see fields for the amount of the expenses and for the amount already claimed...but I was told by another physio that I couldn't.

Thanks...

Purple Sheep · 16-05-2019 8:32pm

In general you can claim tax relief on the part you paid yourself. I confirmed that in an enquiry on the revenue website (feel free to do the same!).

However not every type of expense is covered and it looks like physiotherapy is only covered by the relief if it was prescribed by a doctor, as opposed to just showing up.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/tax/income_tax_credits_and_reliefs/taxation_and_medical_expenses.html
https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/what-are-qualifying-expenses.aspx

Hope this helps!

namenotavailablE · 16-05-2019 8:33pm

Yes- you can claim for net 'out-of-pocket' qualifying expenses.

See this page for greater details: https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/health-and-age/health-expenses/index.aspx

Edit to add- I agree with Purple Sheep's point about physiotherapy being one where you need to be referred by a General Practitioner (doctor).

Springfields · 16-05-2019 8:34pm

cscook wrote: »

I've seen/heard conflicting opinions on this, would appreciate if anybody can clarify.
I'm claiming for physio from my health insurer - I get back "up to €25 per visit", less the excess of €1.
Can I also claim tax relief on the balance at the end of the year, that would be on the remaining €35 per visit. From the Revenue website (and one physio clinic I looked at), I think I can because I see fields for the amount of the expenses and for the amount already claimed...but I was told by another physio that I couldn't.

Thanks...

Yes you can claim relief on the part you paid yourself ..ie not covered by insurance

cscook · 16-05-2019 9:35pm

Thanks - that bears out how I read it myself - it was the one physio saying I couldn't that threw me somewhat, expecting they'd know. I was referred by my GP following on the results of an MRI - so I guess I'll save all the invoices in my tax file.
Appreciate the input.

crossman47 · 16-05-2019 9:43pm

Just to clarify from my own experience. You calculate the total you have paid in medical expenses and then the form asks for the amount you get from insurance. This is the same as your net spend but you actually enter the gross amount and then the return from insurance,.

Question about tax relief on medical expenses

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