I hear so many people saying they are following gluten-free diets these days – all claiming they need to for a variety of different reasons.

In reality, many of these same people don’t ‘need’ to adopt a gluten-free diet, it’s a matter of choice – however, there are people who are medically-diagnosed as coeliacs and therefore, must adopt a gluten-free diet.

It’s for this group of people that I thought I’d highlight a tax relief that isn’t so well known and means they can claim tax back on health expenses for gluten-free products purchased.

Like with other medical expenses, coeliacs can claim tax relief at 20% for expenses relating to their illness, such as purchasing specially made food. Given these products are usually charged at a premium, these costs really do add up in a year – so it’s well worth your while submitting a claim.

As we are all about making it simple for you, here’s our 3 steps to get your claim in and your tax back in your pocket!

1. Get your Diagnosis in Writing

The first thing you’ll need is a letter from your GP or Consultant confirming your coeliac diagnosis.

2. Gather your Receipts

You’ll need to have evidence of your expenses in the form of receipts – so be sure to keep your receipts!

Items that can be claimed include:

• All specially made gluten-free products purchased
• Prescription items
• GP, Dietician and Consultant fees

When it comes to food, a good tip is to highlight the products that are specifically gluten-free on your receipts at the time of purchase – particularly if it is part of a larger grocery shop.

Depending on where you shop, your loyalty card can also provide a summary of gluten-free products purchased. Tesco’s Clubcard, Supervalu’s Real Rewards and Dunnes’ Value Club all provide an annual statements of gluten-free purchases, so if you’re a member of one of these, then be sure to get your statement.

Please note: tax relief cannot be claimed on foods that are naturally gluten-free.

3. Complete an Application Form

There’s nothing worse than to navigate your way through the tax maze, never mind listening to Revenue’s horrid hold music – but our team love it!

We make claiming your tax back easy by managing it all for you. Get your claim started now and we’ll post you out a form to attach your receipts to and FREEPOST back to us.

Post Written by Nerilie Watson

I’m the Marketing Manager at Red Oak Tax Refunds and although I’m no tax expert, I LOVE getting money back from taxman. My job is to translate all the complicated and confusing ‘tax speak’ that is bandied about our office into something that is understandable for all us ‘average Joe soaps’.