Sportsperson relief

You may be able to claim tax relief if you’re a retired sportsperson.

To qualify for this relief, you must:

• Have permanently finished or retired from that profession

• If you retire on or before 31 December 2013, you must be resident in Ireland in the year of retirement

• If you retire on or after 1 January 2014, you must be resident in Ireland, a European Union (EU) state, a European Economic Area (EEA) state, or a European Free Trade Association (EFTA) state at the time of retirement

The tax relief applies to earnings directly from sport, such as wages or prize money and income earned for personal appearances or interviews doesn’t qualify.

How much tax relief you’ll get

If you retired on or before 31 December 2013, the tax relief is calculated by allowing a deduction of 40% against your total earnings (before expenses). Revenue will allow this tax relief for up to any 10 of the previous tax years for which you were resident in Ireland.

If you retire on or after 1 January 2014, the 40% deduction is based on your income in the year of retirement and the preceding 14 years of assessment.

You must claim this relief within 4 years from the end of the year when you're retired and submit this on Form 12.