How I Helped a Nurse Get €1,598 Back from Revenue – And Why You Might Be Missing Out Too

When people think of tax returns, they often assume it’s only worth doing if something big has changed — like buying a house or starting a business. But sometimes, even small, everyday things can lead to big refunds.

Recently, I worked with a nurse who had never filed a tax return before. Like many PAYE workers, she thought everything was already handled through payroll — and that there was nothing more she could claim.

She was wrong. And in the best way possible.

She didn’t think she was eligible

She was renting a room in her landlord’s home and assumed that didn’t qualify her for the rent tax credit.
But it did. As long as your landlord is registered with the RTB and it’s your main residence, you could be eligible — even if it’s just a room.

She didn’t know about flat rate expenses

As a nurse, she’s entitled to claim flat rate expenses — a fixed amount the Revenue allows to cover work-related costs. Many nurses and healthcare workers miss this every year simply because no one has told them about it.

She was supporting her mother back home

This part really touched me. She had been financially supporting her widowed mother abroad for years, but didn’t know she could claim the dependent relative tax credit for this.
That credit alone can make a difference — and she had never claimed it before.

The result? €1,598 back in her account

We filed the return, included all eligible credits, and a few weeks later she got a refund of €1,598.

She was so relieved — not just for the money, but for the peace of mind.

Why this matters

There are thousands of people in Ireland, especially PAYE workers, who don’t realise they could be due a refund. You might be one of them if:

• You’ve rented a room or apartment in the past few years

• You work in a profession with flat rate expenses (nurses, teachers, retail workers, etc.)

• You support a family member financially, even if they live abroad

• You haven’t reviewed your tax situation in a while

Let’s find out if you’re owed money

I love helping people find hidden value in their finances. If you’re a PAYE worker and not sure if you’re missing out, I’d be happy to take a look.
No jargon, no pressure — just straightforward advice.

📩 Email me at achu@balancedfinancials.ie