Families paying for home care 'should check for tax relief'

Families who use a home care service to help their elderly loved ones stay living at home should check that they’re getting tax relief that they may be entitled to.

That’s the advice from Amanda Bohan, MD of the Kilcullen based Home Instead Senior Care in Kildare and Laois, who says many families may not be aware of an entitlement to have some home care expenses reimbursed every year.

Families who employ a home care provider to look after an older relative can avail of tax relief of up to 20pc or 40pc depending on their marginal rate of tax, up to a maximum deduction of €75,000. The bill payer can then claim tax relief at the end of the year or on a monthly basis based on the individual’s preference.

According to the most recent figures from the Revenue Commissioners, 1,910 people claimed the ‘Person Entitled to take care of an Incapacitated Individual’ tax relief in 2014. However, there are approximately 4,000 individuals receiving home care services from Home Instead Senior Care, one of a number of home care providers in Ireland.

“While not all of our clients and their families qualify for the tax credit, as a large number are in receipt of HSE-funded home care packages, there are still people who could be claiming it,” Amanda Bohan says. “If more families were aware of this allowance, it would make home care a more affordable option and encourage older people to remain living independently at home.”