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Irish Rental Income Tax Explained
If you rent out a property in Ireland, the profit you make is subject to income tax, the Universal Social Charge (USC), and Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI). Understanding how this tax is calculated, and specifically how much of your total tax bill is due to rental income, is crucial for landlords to budget accurately and meet their Revenue obligations.
What is Taxable?
You are taxed on your net rental income. This is your total annual rent received, minus any allowable expenses incurred in earning that rent. You must declare this income on your annual tax return (Form 11 or 12).
Allowable Deductions
You can deduct the following costs from your gross rent to arrive at your taxable profit:
- Mortgage Interest: Interest paid on a loan used to buy, improve, or repair the rental property. Note: the capital portion of your mortgage repayment is not deductible.
- Repairs & Maintenance: Costs to maintain the property in its existing condition (e.g., fixing a broken window, repainting). Improvements that enhance the property's value (e.g., adding an extension) are not deductible.
- RTB Fees: Fees paid to the Residential Tenancies Board for registering the tenancy.
- Other Expenses: Property management fees, landlord insurance, service charges, accounting fees for rental accounts, and certain local authority charges.
How the Tax Impact is Calculated
Your net rental income is added to any other income you have (e.g., from employment). To find the tax caused by your rental income, we calculate your total tax bill and then subtract the tax you would have paid without the rental income. This is done in three parts:
- Income Tax Impact: Income tax is applied at 20% on income up to €42,000 and 40% on the balance (for a single person in 2026). Your personal tax credits are deducted. The additional income tax due to rental income is the difference between your final bill and the tax you would pay on your other income alone.
- USC Impact: USC is a progressive charge. Rates for 2026 are 0.5% up to €12,012, 2% up to €25,760, 4.5% up to €70,044, and 8% on any balance. The additional USC due to rental income is found by comparing the USC on your total income versus the USC on your other income alone.
- PRSI on Rental Income: This is calculated directly on the net rental profit. Employees (Class A) pay 4% on the full amount. Self-employed individuals (Class S) pay 4% on rental income over €5,000, with a minimum annual contribution of €500.
Example Calculation
Sarah is a single employee (Class A PRSI) earning €45,000 from her job. She rents out an apartment for €1,250 per month (€15,000 annually). Her deductible expenses total €4,790.
- Net Rental Income: €15,000 - €4,790 = €10,210
- Total Income: €45,000 + €10,210 = €55,210
- Income Tax Without Rental: Tax on €45,000 = (€42,000 @ 20%) + (€3,000 @ 40%) = €8,400 + €1,200 = €9,600. Minus €1,850 credit = €7,750.
- Income Tax With Rental: Tax on €55,210 = (€42,000 @ 20%) + (€13,210 @ 40%) = €8,400 + €5,284 = €13,684. Minus €1,850 credit = €11,834.
- Income Tax Due to Rental: €11,834 - €7,750 = €4,084.
- USC Due to Rental: Calculated similarly as the difference between USC on €55,210 and USC on €45,000.
- PRSI on Rental: €10,210 @ 4% = €408.40.
- Total Tax Due to Rental Income: Sum of the three amounts above.
Next Steps & Important Documents
After estimating your tax liability, ensure you keep detailed records of all rent received and expenses paid. The cornerstone of a compliant tenancy is a clear Residential Lease Agreement. This document outlines the rights and responsibilities of both landlord and tenant, including the rent amount, which is a key figure for your tax calculations.