How to claim tax relief on eye care expenses in Ireland
From glaucoma tests to laser eye surgery, every year thousands of people across Ireland undergo a wide range of eye care treatments and procedures.
And yet, tax relief on eye care is consistently one of the most underutilised types of medical expenses.
This is largely due to the fact many people are unsure of what they are entitled to when it comes to tax.
While most people are aware that relief can be claimed on GP bills and prescriptions, many are unaware of the full extent of tax relief that is available for medical costs.
A Taxback customer receives an average tax refund of €1,880. So it's worth your while investigating how much you're owed and claiming back what you're due.
And the good news is that claiming tax relief can be very easy.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about tax relief and eye care and how to get tax back in your pocket.
Let's get started!
Diagnostic Procedures
If you pay for the cost of a diagnostic procedure on your eye you are entitled to tax relief.
This includes any procedure that examines whether or not you have a condition, disease or illness related to your eye (such as exams for glaucoma tests or corneal and retinal topography)
If you are unsure if your procedure was diagnostic or not, it is best to check with your registered practitioner.
Optometric Treatments
If you receive any optometric treatments – for instance, to alleviate eye movement disorders such as strabismus or amblyopia – you can claim tax relief.
As long as your treatment is carried out by a qualified practitioner and you keep the receipts in a safe place you will be eligible for a refund.
The average Irish tax refund is €1,880
LASIK Treatments
You may also be able to claim tax back if you have paid for LASIK (laser) eye surgery by a qualified practitioner.
If you're unsure if your provider is qualified, you can check their registration number through the Irish Medical Council.
If your laser eye surgery procedure was conducted abroad, you should make sure your provider is entitled to practice under the laws of the country in which the care was given.
Ongoing treatment
If medicine is necessary to maintain or improve your vision, you may be eligible to claim tax relief on the expenses incurred.
For example, if you need to purchase eye drops to treat infections (such as glaucoma or conjunctivitis), you can claim tax relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim tax relief on glasses and contact lenses?
No. Tax relief cannot be claimed on routine eye care such as buying glasses or contact lenses or taking a vision test.
However, if you pay PRSI, it is possible to get the cost of a sight test covered through the Treatment Benefit Scheme. This depends on the amount of PRSI you have paid so it is important to check your eligibility first.
Who can claim tax relief on eye care costs?
You will be eligible for tax relief if you pay for qualifying medical expenses either for yourself or on behalf of a loved one.
I have a false eye do I qualify for tax relief?
Yes. You can claim tax back on the cost of purchasing a false eye.
How much tax relief can be claimed on eye care costs?
Tax relief can be claimed at a rate of 20% on qualifying medical expenses.
In other words, if you spend €200 on qualifying eye care, you will be entitled to a tax refund of €40.
The average Irish PAYE tax refund is €1,880.
Make sure to check out our tax back calculator for an estimate.
The average Irish tax refund is €1,880
What health expenses are tax deductible?
Tax relief can be claimed on a wide range of medical expenses including:
- Doctor and Consultants Fees
- Prescriptions
- Ambulance
- Physiotherapy
- Diagnostic Procedures
- Maternity Care
- Eye Care
- Kidney Patients
- Non-routine dental expenses
Check out our guide to medical expenses for more!
The average Irish tax refund is €1,880
How far can I go back to claim medical expenses?
You can go back four years to claim what you're owed. So if you have receipts from 2019 it is possible you could claim tax relief on these.
I have private health insurance. Am I entitled to claim tax relief on my medical expenses?
As a private health insurance customer, you are entitled to claim tax relief at a rate of 20% on the cost of the premium.
If you pay the cost of the premium yourself it is not a requirement to claim the benefit.
It is automatically given as a discount on the cost of the policy. This relief is known as tax relief at source (TRS).
If your employer pays the cost of your premium (either in full or part) you will still be entitled to TRS, however, you will have to claim it yourself.
Finally, if your insurance does not cover all of your medical costs, you can claim tax relief on any excess you pay for medical treatment.
What's the best way to claim tax back in Ireland?
The easiest way to claim your tax back in Ireland is with Taxback!
We deal with all the tricky paperwork so you don't have to.
The average tax refund a Taxback customer receives is €1,880 - so it's definitely worth claiming back what you're owed.
File your tax return in Ireland with Taxback today.
Why Taxback?
- No complicated forms – simple online process
- Your maximum Irish tax rebates guaranteed
- We have a FREE tax refund calculator that you can use
- We send the refund straight to your bank account
- Our Live Chat team is available 24/7 to answer any of your tax related questions.
The average Irish tax refund is €1,880
Cookie preferences