Tax Reliefs For Parents/Families of Deaf Children

Parents often ask Sound Advice,  “what tax reliefs am I entitled to, in respect of my child’s hearing?”. Here are two factsheets for your review and reference.

For clarity, two factsheets were created for families with deaf children:

  1. Tax relief on equipment & services (PDF file)
  2. Tax relief on medical expenses (PDF file)

Check with Revenue and/or your consultant in the case of any queries.

Parents should keep a paper trail of all appointments and/or purchases, and staple all receipts to a ‘primary’ document. This strengthens your case to Revenue when claiming your tax reliefs. Remember to keep photocopies!

Team Sound Advice
State Exam Accommodations For Deaf StudentsLiteracy Skills In Children Aged Three to Five Years
Comments: 5
  1. 12 years ago

    Here’s an essential tip for parents buying an iPhone, iPad or iPod: VAT can be reclaimed if these are used for *educational purposes*.
    Just download & complete VAT form 61A from http://bit.ly/8XWq9u and send to Revenue with a copy of your child’s medical records.

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  2. karen
    12 years ago

    hi caroline.
    thats a great bit of information, i was considering buying an ipad and now i think i will. roufley how much vat wud u receive back on it?
    thanks
    karen

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  3. 12 years ago

    You would get only what you paid. So if the vat is 21% – then you get that back.

    I’m not a tax accountant but a quick call to PC WORLD-LIFFEY VALLEY COMPU B GRAFTON ST or CURRYS would tell you what they charge in VAT.

    You ask for a VAT receipt at point of purchase, Make a copy for your records and send the original together with your specialist recommendation for the product (Speech therapist report, Diagnosis letter etc) and a completed VAT form 61 A to revenue.

    You can enclose a stamp addressed envelope and ask the Tax Officer to return the original receipt for warranty purposes. Tax Officers are People Too – they are very kind I find if you explain things.

    iPads run at between 500 -750 euro.

    And of course if you buy it in the North or UK, don’t expect the Irish Revenue to give you back any vat as you didnt actually pay it to them.

    xx

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  4. Julianne G
    12 years ago

    This is correct – VAT can be refunded on all computers, webcams and mobile phones (communication needs) as well…

    They will only refund one PC and one phone every 3 years – recently I was successful in claiming an extra mobile phone as using it for text messaging is very hard on phone – by showing receipts that I had gone thru 5 phones in 3 years.

    Please do not abuse the system buying a iPad/iPhone/laptop for yourself and passing it off for the child as 1.5-2 years down the road your child will genuinely need one and you will not be able to claim it back.

    There is no need to submit medical information – simply saying ‘Deaf’ on the form and the main reason for the equipment is enough. I’ve been claiming VAT refund for over 20 years now and never once had to submit proof of deafness. If they need it you can forward it on on request.

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  5. 12 years ago

    Thanks to Lisa and Julianne for sharing your insights to benefit people making purchases. It’s appreciated.

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