PAYE Refund Statistics in Ireland 2025: Facts and Trends

📊 PAYE Refund Statistics Ireland

• Average refund: €1,080 per person
• Claim success rate: Over 80% of PAYE workers are owed money
• Total unclaimed: €500+ million in Irish workers' pockets annually
• Processing time: Most refunds paid within 5-10 working days
• Claim window: Current year + 4 years backdated

Every year, millions of euros in tax refunds go unclaimed in Ireland. PAYE workers overpay tax for various reasons—from emergency tax to unclaimed credits—yet many never check if they're owed money back. The statistics show just how common overpayment is.

At MyTaxRebate.ie, we've helped thousands of Irish workers claim their rightful refunds. Based on our data and Revenue statistics, here's what the numbers reveal about tax refunds in Ireland.

How Much Do Irish Workers Get Back?

The average PAYE tax refund in Ireland is approximately €1,080 when claiming across multiple tax years. However, individual refunds vary significantly based on circumstances:

When multiple reliefs apply, refunds can reach €3,000-€5,000 or more. Workers who've had significant life changes—like changing jobs, getting married, or having children—often have the largest unclaimed amounts.

Why Do So Many Workers Overpay Tax?

Ireland's PAYE system is designed to collect the right amount of tax throughout the year—but it doesn't always work perfectly. Common reasons for overpayment include:

1. Emergency Tax

When starting a new job without your tax certificate set up, employers apply emergency tax rates. This often means paying significantly more tax than you should. Revenue data suggests emergency tax is one of the most common causes of PAYE overpayments.

2. Unclaimed Tax Credits

Many workers don't realise they're entitled to additional tax credits beyond the basic Personal and Employee credits. These include:

• Rent Tax Credit (€1,000/year single, €2,000 married)
• Single Parent Child Carer Credit (€1,900/year)
• Home Carer Tax Credit (€1,950/year)
• Dependent Relative Tax Credit (€305/year)

3. Unreimbursed Expenses

Work-related expenses like uniforms, professional subscriptions, and tools often go unclaimed. Many occupations qualify for flat rate expense deductions, but workers must actively claim them.

4. Medical Expenses

You can claim 20% tax relief on medical expenses not covered by insurance. GP visits, prescriptions, dental work, and physiotherapy all qualify—but most people don't bother claiming.

Refund Statistics by Occupation

Certain occupations consistently have higher refund rates due to eligible flat rate expenses:

These figures represent flat rate expenses alone. When combined with rent credit, medical expenses, and other reliefs, total refunds can be significantly higher.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Refund?

Once a claim is submitted correctly, Revenue is generally efficient at processing refunds:

• Simple claims: promptly
• Standard claims: promptly
• Complex claims: 2-may require additional processing time (if documentation required)

At MyTaxRebate.ie, our specialists ensure claims are submitted with all required documentation, minimising delays and queries from Revenue.

Why Use MyTaxRebate.ie?

Our Professional specialists have helped thousands of Irish workers claim refunds they didn't know they were owed:

• Comprehensive review: We check all 4 years and all possible reliefs
• Expert knowledge: We know every relief and how to maximise claims
• No win, no fee: You only pay if we secure you a refund
• Handle everything: We deal with Revenue on your behalf

Frequently Asked Questions