Every year, millions of euro go unclaimed by PAYE workers in Ireland, not because people aren’t entitled to it, but because nobody tells you and often people feel it is not worth the hassle. Revenue isn’t going to email you to say you’re owed money, it’s up to you to check.
How do I find out if I’m due a tax refund for PAYE Earners?
The quickest way is to log into Revenue’s myAccount and request a Statement of Liability for the last four years, this shows you exactly where you stand for each year, and flags any refund due.
What do I do if I discover I’m due a refund?
Once Revenue confirms a refund is due, it’s usually paid directly to your bank account within a few weeks, with no further action needed from you.
Tax Credit Certificates
Your Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) shows the credits and cut-off point Revenue has on file for you, and it’s worth checking every year, since an outdated one can mean you’re paying more tax than you should.
- How do I get one? Revenue issues it automatically each year, or you can view and update it any time through myAccount.
- What if I don’t have one? New employees are usually taxed on an emergency basis until Revenue has your details, see our note on emergency tax below.
- Basic tax credits: the Personal Tax Credit and PAYE (Employee) Tax Credit apply to almost everyone; others depend on your circumstances.
Starting your first job, or changing jobs
Your employer needs your PPS number and Revenue Payroll Notification to tax you correctly from day one. Without it, you’ll be taxed on an emergency basis, usually 20% on a limited amount initially, rising to 40% on everything after four weeks, until your details are sorted. Revenue corrects and refunds any overpayment once you’re set up properly.
Ceasing work
If you stop working partway through the year, you may be due a refund for the portion of the year you were employed, you don’t need to wait until year-end to claim it. See our FAQ: (https://fasttax.ie/paye-refunds-credits-deductions-prsi/).
Flat rate expense deductions
Many professions including teachers, nurses, retail staff, tradespeople and more, qualify for an automatic deduction covering the cost of tools, uniforms or laundering. If you’re in an eligible role and don’t see it applied, you can request it through myAccount, and claim back up to four previous tax years if you missed it.
Ceasing employment and lump sum payments
Redundancy payments have their own tax treatment and special rules for the amount that is tax free. Statutory Redundancy is not liable for tax.
How share options are taxed
Covered in full in our guide to share option tax (https://fasttax.ie/paye-taxpayers-how-share-options-are-taxed.
Emigrating from, or moving to, Ireland
Your tax residency status in the year you leave or arrive affects what Ireland can and can’t tax, a complex area that depends heavily on your specific dates and circumstances.
What are Benefits in Kind (BIK)?
Non-cash perks from your employer for example a company car, health insurance, or similar. Such benefits are taxed as if they were extra salary through payroll.
Social welfare benefits
Some social welfare payments are taxable (like Jobseeker’s Benefit and the State Pension), and some aren’t (like Jobseeker’s Allowance and Child Benefit) and it’s worth knowing which is which before you assume either way.
