Starting your first job in Ireland is exciting—but understanding tax can be confusing. Many people in their first job end up on emergency tax, which means they overpay significantly. If this happened to you, the good news is you can claim that money back.
Our specialists regularly help people who've started their first job recover overpaid tax. Here's what you need to know.
📊 First Job Tax Facts
- Common issue: Emergency tax if not registered
- Tax credits you should have: €4,000 (Personal + Employee)
- Typical overpayment: €500 – €2,000+
- Claim period: Up to 4 years back
Why First Jobs Often Mean Overpaid Tax
When you start your first job, your employer needs tax instructions from Revenue. If you haven't registered your employment, you're put on emergency tax. This means:
- Your tax credits aren't applied (or are minimal)
- You pay tax at the higher rate sooner than you should
- Your take-home pay is much lower than expected
Emergency tax can continue for weeks or months if not addressed—and all that extra tax you paid can be claimed back.
Understanding Your Tax Credits
As a first-time employee, you should receive:
- Personal Tax Credit: €2,000
- Employee Tax Credit: €2,000
That's €4,000 in credits reducing your tax bill. If you're on emergency tax, you're not getting these—and you're paying far more than necessary.
Signs You're on Emergency Tax
Check your payslip for:
- "EMERG" anywhere on the payslip
- "Week 1" or "Month 1" codes
- Tax credits showing €0 or very low amounts
- Very high tax deductions relative to your wages
💡 Real Example
Jack got his first job after college but didn't register with Revenue. For four months, he was on emergency tax. When we reviewed his payslips, we found he'd overpaid €1,840. Combined with rent credit he never claimed, his total refund was €2,640.
Other Reliefs for Young Workers
Emergency tax is often just the start. Young people starting their careers may also be entitled to:
- Rent tax credit – up to €1,000/year if you rent
- Medical expenses – 20% relief on healthcare costs
- Flat rate expenses – for many professions
- Tuition fee relief – if you paid for education
The average refund our clients receive is €1,080.
How We Help
Our specialists know exactly what to look for in first-job tax situations:
- Identify emergency tax periods: Even if you're not sure, we can find them
- Calculate your refund: Work out exactly what you're owed
- Find all reliefs: Rent credit, medical expenses, and more
- Handle everything: We manage all paperwork and communication
Started Your First Job?
Our experts will check if you overpaid and find every relief you're entitled to.
Start Your Free Review →No refund, no fee • Average refund €1,080 • TAIN: 77632V
Frequently Asked Questions
How much tax should I pay in my first job?
This depends on your salary. With €4,000 in credits, you pay no tax on roughly the first €20,000 earned at the 20% rate. Above that, rates increase—but everyone should have at least €4,000 in credits.
What if my first job was years ago?
You can claim for up to four years. If your first job was within this period and you overpaid, we can still claim it back.
I was a student working part-time—can I claim?
Absolutely. See our student tax guide. Part-time and summer workers often overpay tax, especially if they earned below the annual threshold.