Tax Tips

How to Claim Tax Back for Employment Expenses

Guide to Claiming Tax Back for Employment Expenses

Let’s face it, no one wants to pay more tax than they have to; however, you might not even realise you’re doing it! Many of us PAYE workers in Ireland have professions that allow us to claim tax back for expenses in employment, but either don’t realise or don’t think it’s worth the paperwork.

What work expenses can I claim? What are allowable expenses? To ensure you’re not missing out on unclaimed tax on employee expenses, we’ve compiled a complete guide of everything you need to know.

What are Employment Expenses?

Or, what are the expenses of employment? Employment expenses, otherwise known as flat rate expenses, are costs incurred in the performance of the duties of your job that are directly related to the nature of the employee’s employment.

For example, tools for carpenters or electricians or uniforms for nurses or paramedics. Since these items are essential in order to conduct your duties of employment, you are eligible for tax relief on sums paid for such expenses or purchases. The expenses you claim tax back for must have been spent entirely on items essential to complete your work and nothing else.

What Expenses Can I Claim as a PAYE Employee?

As a PAYE employee, you can claim tax relief if you have had to buy and launder your own uniform. This can be particularly common with professions such as nurses, shop assistants, hotel and hospital staff, pilots, stewards, physiotherapists, pharmacists and opticians.

Another very common employment expense example eligible for tax relief is the purchase of tools and overalls by tradesmen e.g. carpenters, plumbers, mechanics, electricians etc.

Who Can Claim Employment Expenses?

There are over 200 professions recognised by the Revenue Commissioners as eligible for tax relief/deductions on employment expenses, including:

Doctors
Nurses
Dentists
Journalists
Clergymen
Hotel industry employees
Firefighters
Shop Assistants
Teachers

Essentially, anyone from nurses to construction workers, to beauticians to hotel workers to shop assistants or even book-binders can claim tax back for certain employment expenses. The amounts vary depending on your profession and the different rates that are available, depending on what you provide for your work.

Increased Employee Expenses List: 2022 vs 2023

Fuel Allowance: What is it & Do I Qualify?

Effective from 1st September 2022, the public service updated its mileage and subsistence rates oo that the rates can also be used by private-sector employers to reimburse their employees’ travel expenses on a tax-free basis.

If you receive a mileage allowance for using your car for business purposes, it might not be taxed if it does not exceed the civil service mileage rates. Please note that expenses incurred for travelling to or from work are not eligible for tax relief.

If you are unsure if you can claim tax relief on mileage or fuel allowance, our tax experts will be able to help you, simply fill out our online form.

Claim Your Employment Expenses with Irish Tax Rebates!

If you are a PAYE worker and are still unsure about claiming tax relief on employment expenses you have incurred are, contact our team of tax experts at Irish Tax Rebates. We advise on tax relief applicable to your expenses and help you to get your money back in a matter of weeks.

We have the highest average tax rebate in Ireland and the lowest fee; and if you aren’t owed any tax back, there is no fee applied.

To get the ball rolling, you can fill out our 60-second application form:

New Customers: Apply here.

Existing Customers: Apply For Additional Rebate

Claim your tax back

Terms and Conditions

1. Authorisation to act as agent

I, the undersigned, declare to the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland, that I authorise

Irish Tax Rebates (TAIN 66436K)
1 Leinster Street
Athy
Co Kildare

to act as my agent in dealing with all aspects of the filing of my Irish income tax return, including the submission of refund or credit claims, allowances or reliefs.

I confirm that all documentary evidence of entitlement to credits/reliefs claimed and taxable income sources, will be held for a period of 6 years, beginning at the end of the year of assessment to which the Return of Income and/or claim relates, by myself.

I confirm that this authorisation will remain in force until Revenue is formally notified of its cessation by either myself or Irish Tax Rebates, or for a maximum period of 4 years.

2. Authorisation for Agent to receive refunds on behalf of client

I authorise the transfer of any refund or repayment of PAYE/Income Levy/Universal Social Charge due to me by the Revenue Commissioners by electronic funds transfer to the following bank account which is held by Irish Tax Rebates:

BIC Code: AIBKIE2D
IBAN Number: IE55AIBK93336808365254
Name of Account Holder: Irish Tax Rebates

I understand that any refund made by the Revenue Commissioners to my agent, Irish Tax Rebates, on my behalf is refunded in a similar manner as if same were being refunded directly to me and that once the refund is transferred into the bank account nominated by me I have no further call upon the Revenue Commissioners in respect of same. I understand that Irish Tax Rebates is acting as my agent and is solely responsible to me in respect of any refund received by them on my behalf. I further understand that my agent Irish Tax Rebates is an independent entity and that the Revenue Commissioners make no endorsement of my agent or any such agency and cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for problems encountered by me in dealing with them. I understand and agree that Irish Tax Rebates will input its own bank account details on the Revenue record for the duration of this mandate and will remove these details on the cessation of the mandate. I confirm that I am aware of, and agree to, the payment of the fees charged by Irish Tax Rebates in respect of the services carried out on my behalf and that this fee will be deducted from any amount refunded by Revenue and that the balance of this amount will be paid to me.

3. Terms and Conditions of Authorisation

I understand that Tax law provides for both civil penalties and criminal sanctions for the failure to make a return, the making of a false return, facilitating the making of a false return, or claiming tax credits, allowances or reliefs which are not due. I confirm that I will provide the necessary documentation to Irish Tax Rebates to support any refund, credit claims or claims for allowances and reliefs made to Revenue on my behalf of Irish Tax Rebates. I confirm that I will provide details of all my sources of income to Irish Tax Rebates.

I understand that I am required to retain all documentation relating to any refund or credit or allowance or relief claimed by the agent on my behalf for a period of 6 years beginning at the end of the year of assessment to which the Return of Income and / or claim relates, and that Irish Tax Rebates will be required to produce same to Revenue upon request.

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