Tax Credits · Rental Income

Rent Tax Credit Ireland 2026 — Complete Guide

Everything private renters need to know about claiming up to €1,000 per year back from Revenue — rates, eligibility, how to claim, and back-claiming for 2022–2025.

Reading time: 8 minutes Last updated: June 2026 Source: Revenue.ie

At a glance — 2026

Single person€1,000/year
Couple (jointly assessed)€2,000/year
Credit rate20% of rent
Minimum rent (full credit)€5,000/year
Earliest year claimable2022
How to claimRevenue myAccount

What is the Rent Tax Credit?

The Rent Tax Credit is an income tax credit introduced in Budget 2023 for the 2022 tax year. It gives private tenants a direct reduction in the income tax they owe — not a deduction from income, but a credit applied pound-for-pound against your final tax bill.

The credit equals 20% of the annual rent you paid, capped at €1,000 per person per year. For a jointly-assessed couple, the cap is €2,000 (€1,000 claimed by each partner).

Current rates — 2022 to 2026

Tax yearSingle personJointly-assessed couple
2022€500€1,000
2023€750€1,500
2024€1,000€2,000
2025€1,000€2,000
2026€1,000€2,000

A single person who has been renting continuously since 2022 and claims all four back-years plus 2026 could receive a total of €4,250 in tax credits (€500 + €750 + €1,000 + €1,000 + €1,000).

Who qualifies?

You can claim the Rent Tax Credit if all of the following apply:

You do NOT need a written lease — verbal rental agreements qualify. The property does not need to be in a Rent Pressure Zone.

ℹ️ Parents: If you pay rent for private student accommodation on behalf of a child who is a third-level student, you may also claim the credit — even if you don't live in the property yourself.

Who does NOT qualify?

SituationEligible?
Private tenant (no State support)✅ Yes
HAP (Housing Assistance Payment) recipient❌ No
Rent Supplement recipient❌ No
RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme) tenant❌ No
Social/council housing tenant❌ No
Rent-a-room scheme (renting a room in owner's home)❌ No
Student in private accommodation (parent claiming)✅ Yes
Renting from a relative at arm's length✅ Yes (conditions apply)

How to claim the Rent Tax Credit

  1. Log in to Revenue myAccount

    Go to revenue.ie → myAccount. If you don't have an account, you can create one using your PPSN, date of birth and phone number.

  2. Go to PAYE Services → Review Your Tax

    Select the tax year you want to claim for. You can claim for the current year and up to 4 previous years.

  3. Select "Claim Tax Credits" → Rent Tax Credit

    Enter the total rent paid during that year and your landlord's PPSN or Tax Reference Number.

  4. Submit and receive your refund

    Revenue will update your tax record and issue any refund to your bank account or via a tax credit certificate.

Prefer not to deal with Revenue myAccount? D'Emilia Accounting submits this claim for you — current year plus all back-years since 2022. Message us on WhatsApp →
⚠️ The deadline to back-claim the Rent Tax Credit for the 2022 tax year is 31 December 2026. If you miss this, you lose the right to claim for that year permanently.

What you need to claim

Revenue may follow up with your landlord to verify the claim. Landlords are legally required to be registered for tax.

D’Emilia Accounting

We file your Rent Tax Credit for you — current year plus up to 4 years back (2022–2025). You don't need to touch myAccount.

Common mistakes to avoid

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the Rent Tax Credit?

The Rent Tax Credit is an income tax credit introduced in Budget 2023 for the 2022 tax year. It allows private tenants in Ireland to claim back 20% of the rent they pay each year, up to a maximum of €1,000 per person (€2,000 for a jointly-assessed couple).

How much is the Rent Tax Credit in 2026?

In 2026, the Rent Tax Credit is worth up to €1,000 per person or €2,000 for a jointly-assessed couple per year. It equals 20% of the annual rent you paid, capped at those figures.

Can I claim the Rent Tax Credit if I pay rent to my landlord informally?

Yes. The credit applies to both formal written leases and verbal/informal rental arrangements. You do not need a Rent Pressure Zone or a tenancy registered with the RTB. You do need to be able to confirm the amount paid if Revenue asks.

How do I claim the Rent Tax Credit?

PAYE employees claim via Revenue myAccount → Review Your Tax → PAYE Services → Claim Tax Credits → Rent Tax Credit. Self-assessed taxpayers include it on their annual Form 11. The credit applies against your income tax for the year.

Can I back-claim for previous years?

Yes. You can claim the Rent Tax Credit for 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. For each year, you submit a request via Revenue myAccount by filing an Income Tax Return for that year. The 4-year back-claim window means the 2022 claim must be submitted by 31 December 2026.

Do I need my landlord's PPSN to claim?

Yes. Revenue requires your landlord's PPSN or their Tax Reference Number to process the claim. If your landlord is reluctant to provide it, note that they are legally required to be registered for tax.

Related guides

Disclaimer: This content is for general information only. Tax rules change and individual circumstances vary. Always verify at revenue.ie or speak to a qualified tax adviser before making decisions.

Reviewed by

Vitor Alves

Founder of D’Emilia Accounting

Tax adviser and accountant helping immigrants and businesses in Ireland since 2019.

Last reviewed: June 26, 2026 · Editorial policy

D’Emilia Accounting

Not sure if you qualify or how to claim?

Our accountants can review your situation, calculate your exact Rent Tax Credit and submit it directly to Revenue. We also check for other credits you might be missing.