More than 1,600 teleworkers, who have been hit by significant energy price hikes, claim to be tax exempt on their next payment packet since the beginning of the year.
Evenue confirmed that € 66,000 was paid by a new facility that allows people to charge e-working costs in real time.
Those who are suffering from the pressure of living expenses can immediately exempt their electricity, heating and broadband invoices at home without having to wait until the end of the year.
If the worker’s employer does not pay the tax exemption allowance of € 3.20 per day, which the income allows to cover the expenses, the worker is entitled to recover the money from the tax.
Starting in January of this year, workers can claim e-working relief at 30% of the cost of heating, electricity and broadband for the number of days spent working from home.
A revenue spokesperson said 1,635 individuals filed real-time claims for telecommuting relief.
She said she was granted a relief of around € 66,000 by issuing a revised tax credit certificate in 2022.
A spokeswoman said a facility to claim real-time tax credits for remote work relief was launched in January.
It is available online via the myAccountPAYE service.
A spokesperson who is said to make “real-time” billing requires taxpayers to upload a readable image of the receipt to the receipt tracker.
“In this case, you will need a receipt because the amount billed will increase the taxpayer’s tax credit for the current year. That person will be able to benefit from the next salary payment from the employer.” She said.
Laura Bamblick, head of social policy and employment issues at the Irish Trades Union Congress, said she was surprised to already have more than 1,000 users because the service was not advertised.
“More than 1,000 users are great because they aren’t advertised to people,” she said. “It’s set only in January and most people aren’t aware of it.
“If you submit your invoice now, you should see it in the next wage packet.
“I think this is something people are interested in, given the high energy costs and trying to save pennies.
“It was good that the utility rebate increased from 10pc to 30pc, exceeding the recent budget.
“The difficulty was that we had to wait until the end of the tax year to regain the tax exemption, and we couldn’t get relief as soon as the bill went down.
“This is especially difficult for the low-income and the lessee.
“Currently, high living costs are caused by energy prices, lighting and gas costs, so having this facility is really important.”
She said the same real-time facility is available to those who claim tax exemption for nursing home fees and medical expenses.
