The good news for anyone travelling from western countries for medical treatment abroad is you can often claim tax relief on many healthcare expenses, providing you have no private medical insurance already to reimburse you. You can also claim relief if you are making payments on behalf of your spouse, children or relative, if they are travelling for treatment.
What Medical Treatments are covered ?
Most medical expenses apart from some routine treatments qualify for tax relief. This includes the cost of diagnosis, surgery or procedure, medicine, medical equipment, accommodation, rehabilitation and transportation. Cosmetic procedures and fertilization treatments are also eligible for tax relief. A full list of the medical treatments you can claim is available from your local tax authorities.
Claiming Tax Relief in the U.S
You can include the medical and dental expenses you paid this year, regardless of when and where the services were provided. To gain tax relief, you may deduct qualified medical expenses for yourself, your spouse and your dependents, including a person you claim as a dependent under a Multiple Support Agreement. The total of all allowable medical expenses must be reduced by 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income. In America you can file for tax expenses at
www.irs.gov/app/freeFile/jsp/index.
Claiming Tax Relief in Canada
You can claim most medical expenses for you, your wife, your spouse or your partner. You may also be able to claim travel expenses for someone to accompany you. To calculate your tax savings, you need to determine for each dependent the medical expenses you are claiming. The total of these expenses much exceed the lesser of $1,884 and 3% of the dependent’s net income for the year up to a maximum of $10,000. Go to
www.cra-arc.gc.ca/eservices/tax/ to find out more.
Claiming Tax Relief in UK
Currently in the UK, there is no facility for claiming tax relief on foreign healthcare. If you want to save money on your travel treatment, contact your insurance company for details of their health care coverage.
Claiming Tax Relief in Ireland
Most medical expenses, with the exception of routine dental and eye care, qualify for relief. The relief is granted at the highest rate of tax which you are chargeable, for the year of the claim. Reasonable travelling and accommodation expenses can also be claimed. In such cases the expenses of one person accompanying the patient may also be allowed where the condition of the patient requires it. Go to
www.revenue.ie/wnew/newpayess.htm for more information.
How do I make a Claim for Foreign Medical Surgery?
To make a claim for tax relief you need to keep the receipts of your expenditure as well as all documentation you receive and contact the tax authorities in your own country when your return. To speed up the process, you can apply online to your own national taxation authority.
Relief with RevaHealth.com
Start your search for healthcare abroad here. With RevaHealth.com you’ll find the most comprehensive selection of first-class medical treatment and suppliers, saving you time now and cutting your taxes in the future.
This information is intended as a guide only. Always consult with a trusted qualified medical practitioner before considering any potential treatment.
