Claim Uniform Tax Rebate For Free

mally1

Administrator
For those professionals that need to wear a uniform to work and are responsible for the cleaning and maintaining of that uniform, it may be possible to claim a tax rebate against this value. The government offers a flat base rate for most professions between £60 and £140. You could be able to claim the tax that you paid on this amount back.

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The claims process is pleasantly simple and there is no need to use a claims company that will take a percentage of the total that you receive. You can either claim by post or phone, depending on whether this is your first or subsequent time claiming this type of allowance.

There are many professions that may be eligible for this tax rebate, as well as a number of other rebates that may also be claimed. The whole process could be completed and your rebate paid to you within the next five weeks. For uniforms alone, this means that you could claim as much as £300 back.

Who Is Eligible?

In order to be eligible for the tax rebate, you must be able to show that you wear a recognisable uniform, your employer requires that you wear it while you are working, that you paid income tax in the year that you are claiming for, and that you pay to clean, repair, replace the uniform.

In terms of the actual uniform, if your uniform has a logo on it then it is likely that you will be able to claim. There are also reports of people that have managed to claim for plan clothes, as long as they are required to wear them for work, and as long as they do not wear them outside work in normal circumstances.

It should be noted that you cannot claim for the initial purchase of your uniform or kit. Also, if your employer provides laundry facilities, does the cleaning and maintenance of your uniforms for you, or provides you with payment or vouchers for this purpose then you will not be successful in your claim either.

If your employer provides washing and laundry facilities for your use then you cannot claim. Even if you choose not to use those facilities, and take your washing home instead, you will not be eligible to claim tax relief in these instances. Similarly, if you receive a payment that is specifically meant for this purpose then you will not receive relief.

What Professions Can Get A Rebate?

Generally speaking, anybody that meets the criteria above is able to claim the rebate and will usually receive some of the tax that they paid during that year back. Some professions may have uniforms that are more obvious than others, for example a police uniform is quite obviously a uniform but there are many other professions that can also claim.

The police and paramedics are able to claim, along with bar staff and other employees, as long as they wear a specific uniform or outfit for work. Door staff, security guards, and any other security personnel that must wear a specific outfit and meet the other criteria mentioned will also be able to claim a rebate for the tax that has been paid on the upkeep and maintenance of that uniform.

The Armed Forces

Generally, it is not necessary for those in the Armed Forces to have to go through the process. Armed Forces personnel receive a specific tax code that takes kit maintenance into allowance. The tax free personal allowance of those in the Armed Forces is raised to accommodate these costs and this makes it unnecessary and impossible for people in the Armed Forces to claim the money back.

Personnel from other forces may have washing and laundry facilities provided for them and if this applies to you then you will not be able to claim, even if you choose not to use those facilities.

Why Get A Rebate?

A tax rebate means that you are reclaiming money that is rightfully yours. The government makes provisions so that people forced to maintain their own uniforms receive some tax relief for doing so. While the cost of the uniform may be considered a part of starting a new job, you should not have to pay the whole cost of ongoing maintenance.

This is why certain people and certain professions receive tax relief for their uniform maintenance. If you have not claimed your relief in the past then you have the right to claim for the past four years as well as for this year so you could receive a total of five years’ payments. Although the actual amount will vary, as below, this could mean that you receive a payment of £300 in just a few weeks.

Rebate Value

The value of your tax rebate will vary according to your profession. The government offers a flat rate for the maintenance of uniform between £60 and £140 and you can claim back the tax that you have paid on this figure. This means that you will not be able to claim back the £60 but, for example, if you are a standard rate tax payer you would be able to claim back £12, or 20%. Higher rate tax payers would be able to claim back £24, equivalent to 40% of the £60 base rate.

Most people that have been wearing their uniform for the past four years would be able to claim for the full four years as well as this year. As such, if you are a basic rate tax payer and work in a profession with a £60 base rate then you will be able to claim back a total of £60.

Some occupations that have specialist uniforms, that typically require specialist cleaning or maintenance, may attract higher base rate. The maximum base rate is £140. Lower rate tax payers would be able to claim £28 a year, or £140, while upper rate taxpayers will be able to claim £56 a year which is equivalent to £280.

In very few circumstances it is actually possible to claim higher than the maximum base rate. It is necessary to prove that your laundry bill is higher than this so you will need to keep receipts and other details and you will need to apply by post even if this is a second or subsequent claim.

Reclaim Yourself

There are a number of cases of people being approached on Facebook or in other ways by claims companies attempting to do the work on their behalf in exchange for a cut of the claim. The process may take a few minutes of your time and it may necessitate sending a letter or making a phone call but it is a simple, stress free, and quick process that you can easily perform yourself. Do not use a claims company because this will reduce the total amount that you receive.

First Time Claims

Making your first claim needs to be done by post and sent to the address that you see on your payslip or P60. Alternatively, you can send it to HM Revenue & Customs, Pay As You Earn, PO BOX 1970, Liverpool, L75 1WX.

The letter does not have to be long but it will need to include certain information to help ensure that you provide all of the information needed by the HMRC. You should include:

• Employment details – the name and address of the company that you have worked or over the past four years.
• Job details – provide information regarding your job title and the industry in which you work.
• Employer laundry service – if your employer provides any laundry service for employee use then provide details of this in your letter.
• Employer laundry payment – if you receive payment for your laundry and maintenance then this too should be included in the application letter that you send. This also includes any vouchers that are given for the same purpose.
• Uniform details – specifically, you need to explain why the uniform cannot be worn outside work. This may be because it has a company logo on it or because it is against company policy to do so.
• Rebate preferences – you have a choice of whether you want your rebate to be deducted from this year’s tax or you can state that you would rather receive the money in the form of a cheque.

Within five weeks you should receive a response from HMRC and this letter will detail how much you are owed. With any luck, it will also include the cheque, if that was how you chose to receive your rebate.

Subsequent Claims

If this is your second or subsequent time claiming and your expenses were less than £1,000 then you can claim by telephone instead of having to send a letter in. Phone lines are open between 8am and 8pm between Monday and Friday, as well as 8am to 4pm on a Saturday. The number to call is 0845 300 0627.

Alternatively, you may have received a Tax Review form P810, which is used to help determine and ensure that you are on the correct tax code. By completing and returning this you are negating the need to write or call and you will receive your rebate in the same way.

If your claim is for more than £1,000 or you have never claimed before then you will have to apply by post.

Other Deductibles May Be Available

It’s worth noting that uniforms and kits are actually only one of the many tax deductibles that may apply to your profession. Nurses, for example, can claim tax back on their annual registration as well as shoes and, where they are worn, tights.

It is worth checking to determine exactly what you are entitled to and how long you could have been claiming it because you may find that you are owed hundreds of pounds in rebate. If you are owed money then do remember that the process of reclaiming is simple and quick so there is no need to use a claims firm, as this will only end up taking away from the money that you are able to claim back.
 
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