Every year, huge numbers of people overpay tax and never claim it back — because of an unclaimed credit, a job change, working from home, or simply not knowing the reliefs exist. The good news: claiming a tax refund is usually free, you can do it yourself online, and you can go back several years. Here's how, for both Ireland and the UK.
Quick facts
- Cost
- Free to claim yourself — beware firms that take a big cut
- Backdate
- Ireland: 4 years · UK: usually 4 years
- Where
- Ireland: Revenue myAccount · UK: HMRC / GOV.UK
- Common causes
- Unclaimed credits, medical costs, work-from-home, job changes, uniforms
In Ireland
Most Irish refunds come from tax credits and reliefs you never claimed. The big ones people miss:
- Medical expenses — 20% back on GP, consultant, prescription, dental (non-routine) and other health costs.
- Rent Tax Credit — up to €1,000/person if you rent (full guide here).
- Flat-rate (employment) expenses — a fixed deduction for many jobs (nurses, tradespeople and more).
- Remote-working relief — a portion of your electricity, heating and broadband if you work from home.
- Tuition fees relief on qualifying third-level courses.
You claim by requesting a Statement of Liability for each year in Revenue myAccount and adding the credits — and you can go back four years.
In the UK
UK refunds usually come from overpaid tax or unclaimed allowances:
- You were on the wrong tax code, or stopped work partway through the year — HMRC may owe you (often via a P800 calculation).
- Work expenses — uniform/laundry costs, tools, professional fees, or mileage in your own vehicle for work.
- Working-from-home tax relief (where eligible).
- Marriage Allowance — transfer unused personal allowance between spouses (backdatable four years).
You claim through your HMRC personal tax account on GOV.UK. If HMRC already owes you, you may get a refund automatically — but many reliefs you have to claim.
Claim it — step by step
Log in to the official site
Ireland: Revenue myAccount. UK: your HMRC personal tax account.
Review each year
Go back up to four years. Ireland: request a Statement of Liability per year. UK: check your tax for each year and your tax code.
Add every credit and expense
Medical costs, rent, work expenses, working-from-home, tuition — claim everything you're entitled to. Keep receipts.
Submit and get paid
Any refund is paid to your bank account, usually within a few working days to a couple of weeks.
Set a yearly reminder
Do a quick review each year so you never let the oldest claimable year drop off and disappear.
Common questions
How far back can I claim a tax refund?
Is it really free to claim?
How do I know if I've overpaid?
How long does the refund take?
Check the official sources
This guide is general information, not tax advice. Reliefs and rules differ between Ireland and the UK and change over time — always confirm the current details with Revenue.ie or HMRC before you claim.
Keep going
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