Cosmetic surgery - Med 1?

[truthseeker]

Can someone claim back the tax on cosmetic surgery on a Med 1?

I have looked at the information on revenue.ie and I cant find anywhere saying that cosmetic surgery doesnt qualify?

The procedure in question is elective - the patient wont die if its not done but it will render them more cosmetically pleasing (scar tissue cover up) - it is not covered by their VHI.

 

[Graham_07]

The relevant section of the tax code dealing with this is Section 469 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. The basic principal is that only health expenses incurred in the provision of "health care" qualify. Health care is defined at point 3.1 [broken link removed]. That would appear to rule out anything that is cosmetic rather than corrective. But would not rule out plastic surgery for example to correct say scars from an injury.

Revenue are quoted in an article [broken link removed]where they state that laser eye is allowable as it is correction of defect and not cosmetic. That would seem to rule out regular cosmetic surgery.

Scar tissue correction would appear to be allowable as it is correction of defect. If in doubt contact Revenue.

 

[truthseeker]

Thank you.

 

[OMD]

Just an updated question on cosmetic surgery. A friend had a nose job done in Mater Private. The main reason for doing it was cosmetic. However she suffers from a lot of sinus problems and surgeon said proceedure may improve it. As the main reason was cosmetic and not medical does that mean she cannot claim tax relief?