As one of the most substantial expenses you will face in your lifetime, taxes can have a huge impact on your finances

With the Irish tax return deadline fast approaching on October 31st, Nick Charalambous, Financial Advisor and Managing Director of Alpha Wealth, has shared four practical strategies with Her.ie to help you protect your income and keep more of your hard-earned money in 2024.

1. Maximise Your Pension Contributions

Contributing to your pension is one of the most efficient ways to lower your tax liability while also saving for the long term, according to Nick. 

By making pension contributions, you can benefit from up to 40% tax relief, depending on your income (20% if you earn less than €42,000 per year). 

For example, a €10,000 pension contribution could yield up to €4,000 in tax savings, effectively providing a 66% gain. 

In addition to the immediate tax benefits, your pension savings grow tax-free, and you can withdraw a portion of these savings tax-free as early as age 50. 

If your employer offers a matching contribution scheme, this further boosts your retirement savings, essentially providing “free money”. 

So, it's crucial to maximise these contributions to ensure a more comfortable and financially secure retirement.

2. Invest Through the Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS)

The Employment Investment Incentive Scheme (EIIS) is a government-backed initiative that offers significant tax benefits for investing in qualifying Irish companies, Nick says. 

Through the EIIS, you can receive tax relief on both earned and non-earned income, such as dividends and rental income. 

For example, investing €6,500 in a qualifying company through the EIIS could provide up to €3,500 in tax relief the following year, effectively doubling your initial investment. 

If the company performs well, there is the potential for additional returns, making this a lucrative strategy for both reducing your tax bill and growing your wealth.

3. Utilise Gift Allowances

Another helpful tip is taking advantage of gift allowances can be a strategic way to reduce future tax burdens for your family. 

Under the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) rules, each individual can receive up to €3,000 per year from another person, tax-free. 

By making smaller, regular gifts to children or grandchildren, you can help them cover significant future expenses, such as education costs or a house deposit, without triggering tax liabilities. 

This approach allows you to maximise the use of tax-free allowances and potentially avoid large tax bills later on.

4. Don’t Overlook Expense Claims

Finally, many taxpayers miss out on potential savings simply by not claiming allowable expenses. 

Using the Revenue Online System (ROS), you can reclaim a range of expenses, including medical costs, rent relief, and work-from-home expenses. 

The ROS system allows you to claim expenses for up to four previous years, which means you could recover a significant amount of money that you may have overpaid in taxes. 

This straightforward process is an excellent way to reduce your tax liability, ensuring you're not leaving money on the table.

By implementing these strategies before the October 31st deadline, you can reduce your tax burden and keep more of your hard-earned money. 

As Nick Charalambous of Alpha Wealth explains: "Being proactive about tax planning not only saves you money in the short term but also sets you up for long-term financial success."

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