Question 1

How far back can I claim a tax refund in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Up to 4 years. Anything older than that is gone for good, so every year you wait, one year drops off the window forever.

Question 2

I've only been in Ireland a few months — do I even need to file?

Accepted Answer

Often yes. Split Year Treatment or unused credits mean many new arrivals are owed money or need to file. Our 60-second check confirms it in a minute.

Question 3

My employer already deducts my tax — is there really anything to claim?

Accepted Answer

Almost always. Rent Tax Credit, medical expenses and remote working relief aren't applied automatically — you have to claim them, and most people don't.

Question 4

What is the Rent Tax Credit and am I eligible?

Accepted Answer

€1,000 per year if you're single and €2,000 if jointly assessed in 2026, rising to €1,150 and €2,300 from 2027. It's backdated up to 4 years, so most renters are owed a meaningful lump sum.

Question 5

I'm on emergency tax — how do I get that money back?

Accepted Answer

Register the job correctly so Revenue can issue an updated RPN. Payroll can often return the overpayment in a later payslip; if the job or year has ended, use our Emergency Tax Refund service to check and claim it.

Question 6

Are medical and dental expenses refundable?

Accepted Answer

Most unreimbursed medical expenses qualify for 20% tax relief — GP visits, prescriptions, physio and non-routine dental work included. You can claim for yourself and your family, going back 4 years.

Question 7

What tax credits am I probably missing?

Accepted Answer

The three we see most: the Rent Tax Credit if you rent, medical expense relief at 20%, and remote working relief if you work from home. After that it depends on your situation — flat-rate expenses for some jobs, age credit, home carer credit and more. Our Tax Back review checks all of them against your Revenue record.

Question 8

I'm a student working part-time — can I claim anything?

Accepted Answer

Very often yes. Part-time and summer jobs frequently put students on emergency tax or leave credits unused, and both are refundable. If you've worked in Ireland in the last 4 years, it's worth the 60-second check.

Question 9

I've overpaid USC — is that refundable too?

Accepted Answer

Yes. USC is calculated per pay period, so changing jobs, gaps between jobs or emergency tax often mean too much was taken. A USC overpayment is refunded as part of the same review — you don't claim it separately.

Question 10

Is it really no refund, no fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes — on Tax Back. If we review your 4 years and find nothing, you don't pay a cent. You only ever pay a share of what we actually recover.

Question 11

How much does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Tax Back: 15% of what we find + VAT, and only if we find something. Tax Return and Premium: a fixed price (excl. VAT), quoted clearly before we start any work.

Question 12

When do I pay you?

Accepted Answer

On Tax Back, only when your refund lands — our fee comes out of money we've actually recovered for you, never out of your pocket upfront. On fixed-price services like the Tax Return, we quote before we start and you know the full cost before committing.

Question 13

Are there any hidden charges?

Accepted Answer

No. The Tax Back fee is a single percentage of the refund, plus VAT. Fixed-price services are quoted in full before work begins. If extra work ever comes up, we tell you the cost before doing it — never after.

Question 14

What documents do I need to get started?

Accepted Answer

Just your PPS number to begin. For a Tax Back review that's usually enough — we pull your Revenue records directly. For returns or CGT we may ask for payslips, a P60/Employment Detail Summary, or broker statements, all shared securely online.

Question 15

I don't have a PPS number yet — can you still help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can advise on getting your PPS number sorted first, and in the meantime tell you exactly what you'll be able to claim once it's issued. Starting work without one usually means emergency tax — which is refundable.

Question 16

What's the difference between a Form 11 and a Form 12?

Accepted Answer

Form 12 is for PAYE workers. Form 11 is for self-employed people or anyone with other income (rental, foreign, crypto). We work out which one applies to you.

Question 17

Do you deal with Revenue on my behalf?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're registered with Irish Revenue as a tax agent, so once you authorise us we handle the filings, the claims and the correspondence — you just get the updates and the refund.

Question 18

How long does it take to get my refund?

Accepted Answer

Once a claim is submitted, Revenue typically processes refunds within a few weeks, straight to your bank account. Most Tax Back reviews are ready to submit within days of you signing up.

Question 19

Do I have to come into an office?

Accepted Answer

No. Everything is done online — sign-up, document sharing, updates and payment. You never need to set foot in an office.

Question 20

How does the Irish tax year work?

Accepted Answer

Ireland uses the calendar year — 1 January to 31 December. The 4-year claim window runs in whole tax years, so the oldest year you can still claim drops off each December. Another reason not to wait.

Question 21

Is my personal data safe with you?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Documents and PPS numbers are shared through secure online channels only, never by ordinary email, and we use them solely to prepare and file your claims. The details are in our privacy policy, in plain English.

Question 22

What happens if Revenue questions my claim?

Accepted Answer

We handle it. As your registered tax agent, any Revenue queries about filings we prepared come to us, and we respond on your behalf. You're never left drafting replies to Revenue on your own.

Question 23

I sold some crypto. Is that really taxable in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Crypto gains are subject to Capital Gains Tax, with a small annual exemption. There are strict filing and payment deadlines you don't want to miss.

Question 24

I work from home — is there anything I can claim?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Remote workers can claim relief on a share of electricity, heating and broadband costs for the days worked from home. It's small per year but adds up over 4 back-claimable years, and it's never applied automatically.

Question 25

I'm leaving Ireland — can I still claim a refund?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's often the best time to claim. We check Split Year Treatment and any leaving-the-country reliefs so you don't walk away from money you're owed.

Question 26

Can non-EU visa holders claim a tax refund in Ireland?

Accepted Answer

Generally yes. Eligibility depends on the tax you've actually paid in Ireland, not on your visa status or nationality.

Question 27

I'm married or in a civil partnership — does that change anything?

Accepted Answer

It can, and often for the better. Joint assessment lets you share tax credits and rate bands between you, which helps most when one of you earns little or nothing. If you've never reviewed how you're assessed, there's a good chance money is being left behind.

Question 28

I do freelance or gig work alongside my job — what do I need to file?

Accepted Answer

Side income usually means a Form 11 as a self-employed person, even if you're also PAYE. The good news: business expenses can reduce what's taxable. We'll work out what applies and whether your PAYE side has refunds waiting too.

Question 29

I rent out a room in my home — is that income taxable?

Accepted Answer

Often not. Under the rent-a-room relief, income from renting a room in your own home is exempt up to €14,000 a year in 2026, rising to €16,000 from 2027, in gross rent (including any payment for meals, utilities or services). It doesn't apply to lettings to your own child, to your employer, or to stays of 28 consecutive days or less. Above the limit it's taxable rental income and needs a return. We can tell you which side of the line you're on.

Question 30

I've moved countries more than once — which years can you check?

Accepted Answer

Any of the last 4 Irish tax years in which you paid Irish tax. Moving in and out is exactly when overpayments happen — arrival years, departure years and split residence are our bread and butter. Bring us the messy cases.

Questions expats always ask

Refunds & eligibility

Pricing & fees

How it works

Specific situations

Let's sort your Irish tax — together