At Lyons Financial Services, we understand the importance of making the tax system work for you. In this article, we'll reveal strategies to help you reduce your tax burden today and secure your financial future.

1. Claim Relief for Your Medical Expenses: It still amazes us how many people let this one slip by… You can claim standard rate relief (20%) for all the medical expenses that you pay for – typically your own, your family’s and in some cases where you pay other people’s expenses. Most medical costs qualify and when you add up all those doctor visits, prescriptions, physio sessions, hospital consultations, x-rays etc., they can amount to a tidy sum. On top of this, some dental procedures such as crowns and gum treatments also qualify. Make sure you keep those receipts safe!
2. Make A Pension / AVC Contribution: With this one, you need to make a pension contribution payment to gain the benefit, but there is a growing awareness of the need to provide for our own retirement needs. We all need to save our futures, and pensions are usually the most effective way to do so. Pension contributions attract a number of tax benefits. Your contributions qualify for marginal (higher) rate tax relief within certain limits. Your pension fund grows free of all taxes. You can take a portion of your fund tax-free at retirement, with other tax mitigating strategies being used in relation to the balance. Our qualified advisers can guide you through the entire process, ensuring that your savings are maximised for your golden years. Click here to get in touch
3. Annual Gift Exemption: When you die and leave wealth behind you, this often results in tax liabilities for your estate beneficiaries. One of the ways to reduce this tax liability is to gift money to your future beneficiaries while you’re still alive. Any person can gift another person up to €3,000 per annum. without a tax liability. So for example, a couple in their later years could each gift €3,000 to their children, sons & daughters-in-law and their grandchildren etc. every year. This could significantly reduce the amount eventually to be inherited and could significantly reduce or remove any tax liability.
4. Be Clever With Financial Protection: Some people unfortunately still think that all life assurance policies and illness benefits are all the same - This is not the case. Some can be used for specific purposes while attracting tax benefits, others such as certain life assurance policies and health insurance policies qualify for income tax relief on the premiums. This area can be quite complex. Give us a call and we’ll simplify it all for you and find the most tax efficient route for you.
5. Be Aware of all Tax Credit Available to You: There are many more relief's and exemptions available, some of which may apply to you. So make yourself aware of all of the relief's available. Whether you’ve kids in college, have spent money renovating your home, are taking a training course or are commuting on public transport or cycling to work, there are potential tax saving opportunities out there for you. A little bit of research or a conversation with us just might help you to reduce that unwelcome tax burden.

Give us a call on 01 801 5808 or email us at query@LFS.ie for more information.