Illness Benefit (formerly known as Disability Benefit) and Occupational Injury Benefit, paid by the Department of Social Protection (DSP) are taxable sources of income.
Child dependant additions (i.e. additional payments made to claimants in respect of qualifying children) are exempt for tax purposes. Prior to 1 January 2012, the first six weeks (36 days) of Illness Benefit and Occupational Injury Benefit payments in the tax year were also exempt for tax purposes.
This leaflet explains the tax treatment which applies to persons in receipt of the above benefits.
Note: References to Illness Benefit also include Occupational Injury Benefit.
For taxation purposes Illness Benefit recipients can be divided into two groups and the taxation treatment of each group is outlined below:
1. Individuals in employment and in receipt of Illness Benefit.
When you are absent from work due to illness and receive Illness Benefit from the DSP, tax is deducted through the PAYE system.
The DSP notifies your employer of the amount of the taxable Illness Benefit, which you are entitled to receive while out sick, and also the date the payment commenced.
Your employer will operate one of the following procedures to deduct the tax due on your Illness Benefit, depending on whether or not you are paid by your employer while out sick:
The amount of taxable Illness Benefit will be shown on your P45 if you cease employment during the year, or on your P60 if you are still in employment on 31 December.
2. Individuals not in employment and in receipt of Illness Benefit.
If you fall within this category the taxable portion of Illness Benefit will be taken into account by Revenue as income when dealing with any tax repayment claim you may make.
If you do not make a tax repayment claim while unemployed the taxable element of Illness Benefit will be taken into account by reducing your tax credits and rate band on your Tax Credit Certificate when you resume work.
Yes. Any recipient of Illness Benefit is entitled to the PAYE tax credit unless it has been allowed already against other PAYE income.
No. Illness Benefit is exempt from PRSI and USC.
If you, your spouse or civil partner are not taxed through the PAYE system and you have other income in addition to your Illness Benefit you need to consider whether you must make a Self-Assessment- return.
For more information on Self-Assessment see: Leaflet IT10 - A Guide to Self-Assessment.
This leaflet is also available from Revenue's Forms & Leaflets service at LoCall 1890 306 706 (+353 1 702 3050 outside the ROI).
Note: You will not have to pay any income tax if your own and your spouse's or civil partner's total income from all sources does not exceed the relevant exemption limit that applies to you. Details of exemption limits for the current year are given in Leaflet IT1-Tax Credits, Reliefs & Rates.
Illness Benefits and Occupational Injury Benefits outlined above are taxable sources of income and must be declared, in addition to other sources of income of yourself and your spouse or civil partner, on any form from Revenue including the annual return, which requires details of income from all sources to be stated.
4 year time limit - A claim for tax relief must be made within 4 years after the end of the tax year to which the claim relates.
Accessibility - if you are a person with a disability and require this leaflet in an alternative format the Revenue Access Officer can be contacted at accessofficer@revenue.ie.
If you are a PAYE customer your tax affairs are dealt with in the region where you live. Should you require further information phone your Revenue LoCall Service (ROI only) whose number is listed below.
Addresses and LoCall numbers of the Regional Offices |
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Region |
Area Covered |
Telephone No. |
Border Midlands West Region |
Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Westmeath |
1890 777 425 |
Dublin Region |
Dublin (City and County) |
1890 333 425 |
East & South East Region |
Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow |
1890 444 425 |
South West Region |
Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick |
1890 222 425 |
If you are calling from outside the Republic of Ireland, please phone + 353 702 3011.
If you are taxed under the Self-Assessment system you may contact the Revenue office shown on your notice of assessment.
Please note that the rates charged for the use of 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers.
PDF Version of IT22 - Taxation of Illness and Occupational Injury Benefits
While every effort is made to ensure that the information given in this leaflet is accurate, it is not a legal document. Responsibility cannot be accepted for any liability incurred or loss suffered as a consequence of relying on any matter published herein.
