Thinking Finance

How to Reclaim VAT on Radios for the Blind

An institution or society with its primary object being the enrichment of blind persons, may reclaim Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the purchase or importation of radio sets which are intended for the use of blind persons. Applications for repayment must be submitted within four years from the end of the

Tax Reliefs for People with a Visual Impairment

If you have certain visual impairments you may claim a reduction in the amount of tax that you pay. Under the tax system, the amount of tax that you pay to Revenue may be reduced by a system of tax credits and reliefs. You can read about how your tax is calculated for an

Checklist when Appealing a Social Welfare Decision

If you are unhappy with a decision of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) you can make an appeal. Depending on the type of payment, you appeal either to the Social Welfare Appeals Office or the DEASP. There are a number of stages involved in the appeal

COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

The COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and the self-employed who have lost their job on or after 13 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was announced in July that new applications would be accepted until 17 September 2020. This has been extended and new applications will now be

One-Parent Family Payment

One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment for men and women under 66 who are bringing children up without the support of a partner. To get this payment you must meet certain conditions and you must satisfy a means test. One-Parent Family Payment is a taxable source of income. A Back to

Blind Welfare Allowance

Blind welfare allowance is a means-tested payment from the HSE to people, aged 18 and over, who are blind or visually impaired. You may qualify for blind welfare allowance if you meet any one of these requirements: You get a blind pension from the Department of Social Protection You get an income

Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme

Under the July Jobs Stimulus Package the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) has replaced the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) from 1 September 2020. It will run until 31 March 2021. Under the EWSS scheme, employers and new firms in sectors impacted by COVID-19 whose turnover has fallen 30% will get a flat-rate subsidy

COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme

This document is about the COVID-19 Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, which closed on 31 August 2020. It was replaced by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). This document can be used for reference purposes for information on the operation of the TWSS up until it closed on 31 August 2020. The

Social welfare payments and COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Many business were forced to shut down while strict public health measures were in place as a result of COVID-19. Most of these restrictions have now been lifted, but some businesses are still unable to reopen, or have closed down completely. In response to the pandemic, there are new social

Urgent Needs Payments

Urgent Needs Payments are payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. You do not have to meet the habitual residence condition to qualify for an urgent needs payment. COVID-19 (coronavirus) If your employment (or self-employment) has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, or if you are sick or caring for someone who