Language Teacher

Translate your teaching income into maximum tax efficiency in Ireland.

Allowable Expenses

• Teaching Materials — Language textbooks, coursebooks, grammar guides, and printed exercise materials.
• Online Teaching Platform — Italki, Preply, Zoom Pro, and virtual whiteboard subscriptions for online lessons.
• Home Office — Broadband, webcam, microphone, and a proportion of home utility costs for online teaching.
• Professional Membership — CILT (Ireland) or Language Teachers' Ireland membership fees.
• Language Proficiency Tests — Fees for maintaining certified language qualifications used as teaching credentials.
• Travel for In-Person Lessons — Mileage at Revenue's approved rate to teach at corporate offices, schools, or students' homes.

Tax Tips

• Platform commission from Italki or Preply is deductible — you pay tax only on net income received after platform fees.
• Teaching business English to corporate Irish clients may require VAT registration at 23% — check your threshold.
• Revenue now receives data from online platforms including tutoring marketplaces — ensure your declared income matches.
• CILT or Language Teachers' Ireland membership is a professional subscription — claim it on Form 11 each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are platform commissions deductible in Ireland?

Yes. Commission deducted by platforms (Italki, Preply, Verbling) is a deductible business expense on your Form 11. Declare the gross income and deduct the commission — or declare only the net income you receive.

Are language learning trips deductible in Ireland?

Only if there is a direct, demonstrable link to your teaching activities — for example, attending a language teaching methodology conference. General cultural or immersion holidays do not qualify.

Is selling language course materials taxable?

Yes. Income from selling PDFs, online courses, or language learning videos is taxable self-employment income in Ireland and must be declared on your Form 11.

Is CILT Ireland or Language Teachers Ireland membership deductible?

Yes. CILT (Chartered Institute of Linguists) membership and Language Teachers Ireland subscription are professional body fees directly relevant to language teaching. They are fully deductible as business expenses on your Form 11.