Claiming tax deductible employment expenses
You can claim expenses against your employment income if they're work related
and you have to pay for them yourself. Work related means that they're wholly and exclusively for the purposes of your employment.
If you're not making a
flat rate deduction and you're claiming the actual cost you'll need to keep the receipts.
Allowable expenses
Protective clothing
You can claim a deduction for the cost of replacing, repairing and cleaning specialist or protective clothing, for example hard hats, protective overalls and boots.
Uniforms
You can claim for the cleaning or replacement of a uniform if it identifies you as having a particular occupation, for example, nurse or police uniforms.
It does not include employees who wear clothing of a similar design or colour. For example, bank staff who wear clothing in corporate colours.
Small tools
You can claim a deduction for replacing or repairing small tools of your job. For example a carpenter may need to buy their own work tools.
Flat rate deductions
Expenses for specialist clothing and tools
If you spend money on clothing or tools for your job you can claim up to a standard flat rate instead of the actual cost. If you want to claim the actual cost you'll need to keep the receipts as evidence of your claim.
If your occupation isn't listed you may be able to claim a flat rate deduction of £200, for the cost of replacement and upkeep of protective or specialist clothing.
From 2023
| 2022 and earlier
|
|---|
| Carpenters, electricians and other people employed in the building trade | Replacing protective clothing and small tools | £400
| £250
|
| Chefs | Cost of cleaning and replacing uniform and replacing small tools | £400
| £250
|
Customs officers
| Cost of uniform cleaning
| £200
| £100
|
| Farmworkers and other people in the agriculture industry | Cost of cleaning and replacing protective clothing | £400
| £250
|
| Fire officers | Cost of uniform cleaning | £200
| £100
|
| Hotel employees (porters, cleaners, domestics) | Cost of uniform cleaning | £200
| £100
|
| Hairdressers and other people in the beauty industry | Replacement tools | £200
| £100
|
| Kitchen porters and other kitchen staff | Cleaning and replacing protective clothing | £200
| £100
|
| Nurse and health care assistants | Cost of cleaning uniform and replacing shoes and tights | £400
| £250
|
| Police | Cleaning costs not covered by the employer | £200
| £50
|
| Pre-school child care nursery assistants | Cost of uniform cleaning | £200
| £100
|
| Prison officers | Cost of uniform cleaning | £200
| £100
|
Unlisted occupation
| Replacement and upkeep of protective or specialist clothing
| £200
| £100
|
Subscriptions
If you have to pay for a subscription to an approved professional body which is work related you can claim this as a deduction.
List of approved professional bodies on HMRC
Course and examination fees
You can't normally claim a tax deduction for any courses or exams for professional development.
The only exception to this is if you're obliged by the terms of your employment contract to achieve success in a professional qualification for your current role and you have to pay for it yourself.
If your employer pays towards the costs of any expense
If your employer pays in full for the expense you can't claim it as a deduction. If they pay towards it, this has to be deducted from the amount you're claiming.
Motoring expenses
If you use your own vehicle for work (this does not include commuting), you can claim for a proportion of the car's total running expenses. If your employer reimburses you for any costs, deduct this from your claim.
Flat rate mileage allowance
To simplify motoring expenses you can claim a flat rate expense which covers wear and tear, fuel, and servicing.
You need to be able to provide evidence of how you have calculated your business mileage if we ask for it, which must not include any private mileage including commuting to and from your place of work.
Any contribution from your employer towards the expense must also deducted from your claim.
| 60 pence per mile | 30 pence per mile |
Example of a flat rate mileage claim
Jane is employed as a nanny. Her duties include school pick ups and outings with the children. A car is not provided and Jane uses her own. The employer gives Jane £20 per week towards petrol. (This is not part of Jane's taxable income.)
Jane keeps a weekly record of the mileage for travelling from her employer's home for school pick ups and trips to playgroups, the park and the beach. Travelling to and from Jane's home to work (the employer's home) is not included. The expense claim looks like this:
| 3,840 miles | 60 pence
|
| Mileage x flat rate (3,840 x 60p) = | £2,304 |
| Less employer's petrol contribution for each week worked (£20 x 48) | (£960) |
| Mileage claim (this is the amount Jane claims on her tax return) | £1,344 |
Motor expenses claim form
If you do not want to make a flat rate claim you can complete this form to make a claim based on fuel use and depreciation of the vehicle.
Motor expenses claim
Expenses you can't claim
Working from home expenses
You can't claim a deductions for any expenses you have for working from home if you are an employee.
Clothing
You can't claim expenses for general work clothing including suits and shoes.
Travelling to and from work
You can't claim for the cost of travelling between your home and place of employment, including the cost of parking.
Personal professional development
You can't claim for the cost of any courses or exam fees for continuous professional development, to get promotion or to get new employment. Your employer will normally pay for any courses to maintain your qualifications in any current role.
Other expenses you can’t claim
You also can't claim a deduction from your tax for the following:
- the cost of employing another person to perform household duties so that that you can work
- any fees paid to an employment agency to help you find work
- subscriptions to most trade unions
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