Claim back Tax on your workwear A guide to claiming back Tax if you are a wearer of workwear. If you have to wear a uniform for work, and are a UK tax payer, you are entitled to claim a flat rate deduction from the HM Revenue and Customs for the annual cleaning, repair and replacement of your workwear, even if the garments were supplied to you by your employer. Some workers are entitled to a rebate worth £185 a year or more against their tax liability. If you have never claimed for this deduction before, you can claim up to 4 years back payment of the allowance, if it has not already been calculated by your employer. Many employees know about the allowance, but do not take the action necessary to ensure that the deductions are included in your pay. But the good news is that it’s easy to claim the allowance yourself - and once claimed, you will continue to benefit from further deductions in the future, directly through your pay.
What constitutes a ‘Uniform’? Any garment that is instantly recognised as a uniform or workwear by the average person in the street is classed as a ‘uniform’ by the HMRC. The obvious examples are nursing tunics and dresses, medical garments, ambulance and emergency wear, catering and chefwear, specialist manufacturing, construction and engineering garments. However - this is just a tiny percentage of the occupations that the HMRC recognises as being entitled to claim this deduction. At the back of this leaflet is a list of the occupations listed by the HMRC and the amounts you are able to claim against tax each year. Check whether your occupation is on this list. Even if your occupation is not listed, but you wear any specialist workwear garments that are provided by your employer for your work; or wear garments that display a permanently printed or embroidered brand name or company logo, it is classed as a uniform and you are entitled to claim at least £60 per year against your tax deductions for up to 4 years back from the current tax year.
Who can’t claim? • You can’t claim - If your employer already supplies you with an annual allowance to wash your workwear at home. • You can’t claim - If your employer provides you with a laundry service - or even laundry facilities (such as a washing machine and powder) even if you don’t make use of it. • You can’t claim - on the initial cost of the garments. • You can’t claim - if you are not a UK tax payer. • You can’t claim - if the garments you wear for work are not classed as a uniform i.e. they are not recognised as special workwear or don’t display permanent branding on the garment.
Additional rebates for healthcare workers In addition to the rebate for cleaning, repair and replacement of their work uniform, healthcare workers are also able to claim specifically for the purchase of non-slip shoes (£12 per year) and for socks or tights for work (£6 per year). Claim using the same P87 Claim Form, that is available to download from the HMRC website.