It’s a tax relief that applies to everyone in Ireland.

Yet four in ten people don’t know they can claim a tax refund from Revenue on their annual medical expenses – up from 10% in 2017.

According to the latest Taxback.com Taxpayer Sentiment Survey Series 2021, almost three-quarters of Irish taxpayers are missing out on money from Revenue… and you could be owed up to €200 going back four years.

“If you see a GP or consultant, or even if you have prescription fees, you are eligible to claim tax relief,” said Marian Ryan, Consumer Tax Manager at Taxback.com.

“That nearly three-quarters of the population do not claim this relief is indicative of the fact that Irish people, in the main, severely underutilise the tax relief available to them. This contention is supported by Revenue figures which show that in 2018 just 522,800 claims were made for this relief.

“When you consider that Ireland has approximately 1.9 million employed persons aged 15 years and over– most of whom would be taxpayers and so eligible to claim this relief – it becomes very apparent just how many people are missing out.”

‘It all adds up’

The average person in Ireland has taken between three and five trips to the GP per year at an approximate cost of €60 per trip.

“So, if you took four trips you would be eligible for a refund of €48. While not a huge amount, if you add this up over four years – which is how far back you can go to claim – you’d have nearly €200 coming to you.

“Definitely a sum not worth leaving behind,” said Ryan.