Estimate your take-home pay
Use the Irish Net Salary Calculator to estimate PAYE, USC, PRSI, pension deductions, and monthly take-home pay.
Quick answer
- Tax credits reduce the amount of Income Tax you pay; they do not work like a deduction from gross salary.
- For 2026, Revenue lists the Personal Tax Credit at €2,000 and the maximum Employee Tax Credit at €2,000.
- Extra credits and reliefs may need to be claimed in Revenue myAccount rather than appearing automatically.
- Tax credits reduce PAYE Income Tax, but USC and PRSI are separate deductions.
On this page
What a tax credit does
A tax credit directly reduces the Income Tax bill. For example, if your Income Tax before credits is €6,000 and your credits are €4,000, the Income Tax payable is €2,000. This is different from a deduction, which reduces the income being taxed.
Credits that often matter for PAYE workers
Many PAYE workers receive a Personal Tax Credit and an Employee Tax Credit. Other credits or reliefs may apply depending on your circumstances, such as medical expenses, rent tax credit, home carer credit, or other Revenue-approved credits.
How to check or claim credits
Revenue says additional credits can be claimed through the Manage your tax for the current year link in PAYE Services in myAccount. You can also review your Tax Credit Certificate to see what payroll is using.
Frequently asked questions
Do tax credits reduce USC?
No. Tax credits reduce Income Tax. USC is calculated separately.
Where can I see my tax credits?
You can view your Tax Credit Certificate and PAYE record in Revenue myAccount.
Can unused tax credits give me a refund?
You must have paid tax to use credits. A refund depends on your full tax record and the credits/reliefs available.
Is this guide tax advice?
No. It is general information for planning. Use official guidance or a tax adviser for your own situation.
Can I use the calculator for filing?
Use it as an estimate only. Complex activity such as DeFi, staking, mining, business trading, or many swaps may need specialist software or advice.
Sources & references
Key takeaways
- Tax credits reduce Income Tax directly, not gross pay.
- A single PAYE employee commonly has Personal and Employee credits, but your actual credit record can differ.
- Extra credits may need to be claimed through Revenue myAccount.
- Credits do not reduce USC and PRSI in the same way as Income Tax.