Did you know that health expenses, including counselling and psychotherapy, can qualify for tax relief in Ireland? You may be entitled to claim back 20% of the cost of your sessions at the end of the year, or in real-time as you pay.
If you are a PAYE taxpayer, the process is handled entirely online via Revenue myAccount. Here is your step-by-step guide to getting money back on your mental health care.
What you need: A receipt from your therapist showing the date, amount paid, practitioner’s details (including accreditation), and the nature of the service.
Retention Rule: Revenue requires you to keep your receipts for 6 years if you do not upload them online, even though you can only claim for the last 4 years. If you upload them to the Receipts Tracker, you do not need to keep paper copies.
Step 2: Work Out What You Can Claim
You can only claim tax relief on the amount you actually paid yourself.
Total Session Cost – Insurance Refund = Amount You Can Claim
Example: If a session costs €70 and your insurance pays you back €30, you can claim tax relief on the remaining €40. (20% of €40 = €8 tax refund).
Note: You cannot claim relief on amounts that have already been reimbursed by an insurer or public authority.
Step 3: Submit Your Claim (Two Options)
Option A: "Real-Time" Claim
Best for claiming during the year. Log expenses as you go.
Log in to myAccount.
Go to PAYE Services → Manage My Record.
Click Receipts Tracker.
Add a new receipt:
Category: Health
Sub-category: Health Expenses
Enter date, amount, and any insurance reimbursement.
Upload photo/PDF of receipt.
Sign & Submit.
Option B: End-of-Year Claim
Best for past years (up to 4 years back) or doing it all at once.
Log in to myAccount.
Go to PAYE Services → Review your Tax 2021-2024.
Select the relevant year and click Request.
Complete the Income Tax Return.
Navigate to Tax Credits & Reliefs → Health.
Select Health Expenses and enter your total figures.
Step 4: Get Your Refund
After you submit your return, Revenue will process the information.
They will issue a Statement of Liability (usually available in "My Documents" within a few days).
If you are due a refund, it will be transferred directly to the bank account listed on your Revenue profile, typically within 3–5 working days.
Step 5: Don’t Miss the Deadline
The 4-Year Rule: You can only claim tax back for health expenses incurred in the last 4 years. For example, claims for 2021 must be submitted by 31 December 2025.
Important Note on Eligibility
To qualify for tax relief on counselling or psychotherapy, Revenue guidelines state the treatment must be carried out by a qualified practitioner or, in some cases, provided on the referral of a medical doctor (GP) for a diagnostic procedure. We recommend checking with your GP or tax advisor to ensure your specific arrangement qualifies.
Yes—if it qualifies as a Health Expense, you can claim tax relief at the standard rate (20%) on the amount you paid, minus anything you get back from insurance or other reimbursements.
Save your receipt(s) (or request them from your provider).
Log in to myAccount → PAYE Services → Receipts Tracker.
Upload the receipt image + enter the date paid + the amount you paid.
Submit a Real-Time Credit claim (or keep receipts there for your end-of-year return).
Keep receipts: You must keep receipts for 6 years (if you don't upload them digitally), as Revenue may ask to see them.
Time Limit: You can only claim back expenses from the last 4 years.
Payment: Refunds (if due) are typically paid to the bank account on your Revenue record within 3–5 working days after your Statement of Liability issues.
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