If thinking about your tax return fills you with stress, you’re not alone.
Our recent FastTax.ie Tax Stress Survey, conducted with 1,000 people across Ireland, revealed that three in five taxpayers feel anxious or overwhelmed when it comes to filing their income tax Form 11 return. Even those using an accountant reported high stress levels and uncertainty about whether they’re claiming everything they’re entitled to.
But here’s the good news: tax stress can be avoided and the earlier you start, the easier it gets.
Whether you’re self-employed, a landlord, or a PAYE earner with extra income, taking a few simple steps now can save you time, money, and unnecessary worry before the 31 October deadline (extended to 19 November for online filing).
✅ Step 1: Gather your income and expense details for 2024
Start with the basics. Collect all income earned in 2024 including self-employed income, rental income, and any extra sources such as side jobs or freelance work.
Keep your receipts, invoices, and expense records organised and it will be easy to log the income into the six-step FastTax.ie tool.
💊 Step 2: Check your medical expenses
If you paid for medical or dental treatment in 2024, don’t leave money behind.
Collect your receipts and, if you or a family member had dental work, ask your dentist for a Med 2 form as you’ll need it to claim your tax relief. These small refunds can really add up.
🏠 Step 3: Landlords, request your mortgage interest cert
If you have a mortgage on a rental property, your lender should provide a mortgage interest certificate for the year.
This shows how much interest you paid in 2024 and helps you claim the correct deduction on your rental income. Most banks allow you to request this from your online banking portal, but don’t leave it to the last minute as it may take a few days.
💰 Step 4: Don’t forget capital gains
If you sold shares or property during 2024, you may have already paid Capital Gains Tax (CGT) earlier in the year but you still need to include these on your Form 11 to declare it. (Or on a CG1 Form if not requiered to file a Form 11).
💡 Step 5: Think about pension funding before the deadline
It’s not too late to reduce your 2024 tax bill by making a pension contribution. You can use the FastTax.ie Pension Calculator to estimate how much tax you could save before filing.
A smart contribution before 31 October (or mid-November if you file online) can significantly lower the amount of tax you owe.
🧘 Step 6: Avoid the rush and reduce your stress
Every year, thousands of people wait until the final week of October to start their Form 11 and that’s when panic sets in.
Instead, take control now. Start your return early, tick off these simple steps, and let FastTax.ie guide you through your Form 11 quickly, easily, and affordably.
Our system is built for people who don’t want the hassle of ROS or the cost of an accountant, and value a stress-free way to get their tax done right.
🕒 Don’t wait! File early and feel the relief
The sooner you get started, the smoother it’ll be. Log in today, gather your details, and give yourself peace of mind knowing your 2024 Form 11 is under control.
👉 Start your Form 11 now at FastTax.ie.
