Income Mix & Tax Analyzer

In Ireland, all income is aggregated for tax purposes. Your salary, rental income (Case V), and RSU/stock grants are combined. PAYE is charged at 20% up to your Standard Rate Cut-Off Point (€44,000 single / €53,000 married 1-income / €88,000 married 2-incomes in 2026), and 40% on the balance. USC is charged on gross salary at progressive rates (0.5%–8%). Rental income also attracts PRSI Class S at 4%. Dividends are taxed separately at 33% DIRT.

Rental income stacks on top of your salary for PAYE purposes. If your salary already puts you in the 40% tax band, every euro of rental income is taxed at 40% income tax + 8% USC (at the top rate) + 4% PRSI (Class S) = 52% marginal rate. You can reduce this by maximising pension contributions and claiming capital allowances. Interest relief is restricted to 20% under Section 24 rules.

RSUs are taxed as PAYE income when they vest — the market value of shares on the vesting date is added to your salary and taxed at your marginal rate (up to 52%). RSUs also attract USC and PRSI. To reduce the tax hit, many employers offer a Share Sacrifice scheme where RSUs can be redirected into a pension, avoiding the 40%+ tax entirely. Unlike salary, RSUs do not qualify for pension-related tax relief unless sacrificed.

Yes. Pension contributions reduce your taxable income for PAYE purposes, which lowers the overall tax on your combined income (salary + rental + RSU). If you're a higher-rate taxpayer, every €1,000 contributed to your pension saves you up to €520 in tax (40% income tax + USC). However, USC and PRSI are still calculated on your gross salary before pension deductions. The net cost of a €1,000 pension contribution for a 52% marginal rate payer is just €480.

Dividends from Irish companies are taxed at 33% Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT), which is deducted at source — you receive the net amount. Unlike PAYE, DIRT is a final liability tax and does not need to be declared separately unless you're a higher-rate taxpayer with foreign dividends. Foreign dividends are taxed at your marginal rate (up to 52%) and must be declared on your annual tax return. Irish dividends enjoy the 33% flat rate, making them more tax-efficient than foreign dividends for higher earners.

Married couples can elect for joint assessment, which combines both incomes and allows for a higher Standard Rate Cut-Off Point (up to €88,000 in 2026 for two incomes). This means more income is taxed at 20% rather than 40%. Couples can also transfer unused tax credits and rate bands between spouses. If one spouse earns significantly less, the Home Carer Tax Credit (€1,950) may provide additional relief. Joint assessment is almost always more beneficial than separate or single assessment for married couples.

On a combined income of €140,000 (€120k salary + €20k rental), your estimated total tax would be approximately €52,000–€58,000 depending on your marital status and pension contributions. The rental income would be taxed at your marginal rate of 52% (40% income tax + 8% USC + 4% PRSI Class S). You can reduce this by maximising pension contributions or claiming rental capital allowances. Use the calculator above for your exact figures.

High earners (over €70,044) pay 52% on additional salary/rental income (40% PAYE + 8% USC + 4% PRSI). Investment income is treated differently: Irish dividends pay 33% DIRT (final), foreign dividends are taxed at marginal rate (up to 52%), and ETF gains are taxed at 41% Exit Tax with Deemed Disposal every 8 years. Direct share gains are taxed at 33% CGT with a €1,270 annual exemption.

If you earn over €80,000, Auto-Enrolment (AE) only applies to the first €80,000 of earnings (with a €20,000 threshold, so the effective band is €20k–€80k). For a high earner, AE's flat top-up structure (€1 state top-up per €3 saved) is broadly equivalent to 25% relief. This is less beneficial than the 40% marginal tax relief available through a PRSA or occupational pension. A PRSA or occupational pension is almost certainly more tax-efficient for anyone paying 40% income tax.

For 2026, the Standard Rate Cut-Off Point (SRCOP) is €44,000 for single individuals, €53,000 for married couples with one income (increasing to €88,000 with two incomes via the increased band), and €88,000 for married couples with two incomes on joint assessment. Income below the SRCOP is taxed at 20%; income above is taxed at 40%. The SRCOP is one of the most important factors in determining your effective tax rate.

PRSI is calculated separately for salary and rental income. Salary is subject to Class A PRSI at 4.2% (rising to 4.35% from October 2026), with a weekly threshold of €352 before PRSI applies. Rental income is subject to Class S PRSI at 4% on the entire rental profit. For high earners, the total PRSI bill can be significant — up to €2,000+ on a €50,000 salary and an additional €800+ on €20,000 rental income.

High-net-worth individuals can use several reliefs: (1) Pension contributions — up to age-based limits (15%–40% of earnings), saving tax at their marginal rate. (2) Share Sacrifice for RSUs — redirect shares into pension tax-free. (3) Section 24 interest relief for rental property (20% credit). (4) Rent-a-Room relief (€14,000 tax-free). (5) Capital allowances on rental property. (6) Joint assessment for married couples to maximise rate bands. (7) EII Relief (up to €500k investment with 30–40% income tax refund).