HMRC new alert as some UK workers can get money back - check your eligibility

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning to UK workers that they could be eligible for tax relief, potentially reducing their tax bill. The alert, issued on X last night (Sept 7), encourages thousands to check if they qualify for tax relief - including those who wear specific uniforms, work from home or travel to work.

"Do you pay for your own work travel expenses? You may be able to claim work expenses tax relief," the post begins. It continues: "By claiming directly with HMRC, you'll keep 100% of any money you're owed. Check eligibility and get started."

You could be entitled to tax relief if you spend your own money on items necessary for your job, or if those items are used exclusively for work. However, you can't claim tax relief if your employer fully reimburses you or provides an alternative.

For example, if your employer provides a laptop but you prefer a different model, you won't be eligible. If your employer has covered part of your expenses, you can only claim tax relief on the portion you paid yourself, reports Plymouth Live.

To make a claim, you need to have paid tax in the year you're making the claim. The tax relief you receive can't exceed the amount of tax you paid that year. Your tax relief will be calculated based on your expenses and your tax rate.

If you're claiming for the current tax year, HMRC will typically adjust your tax code to reduce your tax payments. For claims related to previous tax years, HMRC may either adjust your tax code or issue you a tax refund.

A statement on the official government website reads: "Don't get caught out by online adverts and tax refund companies who offer to make work expense claims for you so they can claim a commission. If it turns out you aren't eligible to claim, you're still responsible for any claims made on your behalf. We'll help you understand how to check if you're eligible to claim, what you can and can't claim for, and how to claim with HMRC directly. If you're eligible, you'll keep 100% of any money that you're owed."

Verify what expenses qualify

Should you meet the qualifying criteria, you might be entitled to tax relief on specific workplace costs, including:

• if you work from home
• on uniforms, work clothing and tools
• for vehicles you use for work
• on professional fees and subscriptions
• on travel and overnight expenses
• for buying other equipment

However, it's crucial to verify your eligibility first to avoid complications later on. You can see more information about eligible expenses and the process for claiming tax relief on work-related costs via Gov.uk.

Taking a moment to confirm your eligibility could prevent significant problems and expenses further down the road – so always validate your status before submitting any application. Even when using an authorised tax refund service or representative, make certain your applications are legitimate, as you'll be liable for repaying any incorrect claims to HMRC subsequently.

Submitting fraudulent claims might also result in additional enforcement action from HMRC. Claiming work expenses through Gov.uk is described as "quick, free, and straightforward". If you handle it yourself, you won't face any agent fees or commissions.

For most expense claims, you'll need to provide evidence to support your claim. The type of proof required will vary depending on the particular expense you're claiming. You can discover what evidence is necessary by using the government's eligibility checker page, and you have the choice to submit your claim and supporting documents online or by post.

What you need to bear in mind before claiming

Ensure you have evidence to support your expense claim. Customers who wish to claim work expenses may be asked to provide supporting evidence to demonstrate their eligibility before we process the claim.

Tax relief on expenses won't necessarily result in a refund. Some expenses are automatically coded through to the following year – check your tax code remains correct. Expenses must be entirely work-related and essential for you to do your job. You can't claim any expenses that your employer has already reimbursed.

If you had an eligible claim in a previous job, but the conditions are different in a new job, then you may have incorrect items in your tax code. If your expenses are under £2,500 and you're completing self assessment, you can save time by using our quick digital claim service – check you're eligible through the Eligibility Checker.

Vehicles you use for work

If you utilise cars, vans, motorcycles or bicycles for work purposes, you might be eligible to claim tax relief. However, this doesn't cover your commute to and from work unless it's a temporary workplace.

The amount you can claim hinges on whether the vehicle is personally owned or leased, or if it's a company vehicle. You're able to claim for the current tax year as well as the previous four, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

Should you use your own vehicle(s) for work, you could potentially claim tax relief based on the approved mileage rate, which covers the costs of owning and running your vehicle. It's important to note that you can't make separate claims for things like:

• fuel
• electricity
• vehicle tax
• MOTs
• repairs

To calculate how much you can claim for each tax year, you'll need to:

• keep records of the dates and mileage of your work journeys
• add up the mileage for each vehicle type you’ve used for work
• take away any amount your employer pays you towards your costs, (sometimes called a ‘mileage allowance’)

Approved mileage rates

	First 10,000 business miles in the tax year	Each business mile over 10,000 in the tax year
Cars and vans	45p	25p
Motorcycles	24p	24p
Bicycles	20p	20p

You're also able to claim tax relief on the money spent on fuel and electricity for business trips in your company car. Be sure to keep records showing the actual cost of the fuel. If your employer reimburses some of the money, you can claim relief on the difference.

When making a claim, you're required to provide HMRC with copies of your mileage logs. These logs should detail the reason for each journey, the postcode at the start and end of each trip. If you're claiming multiple employment, a copy of your mileage log for each is necessary.

Travel and overnight expenses

If you have to travel for your work, you may be able to claim tax relief on the cost or money you’ve spent on food or overnight expenses. You cannot claim for travelling to and from work, unless you’re travelling to a temporary place of work. You can claim tax relief for money you’ve spent on things like:

• public transport costs
• hotel accommodation if you have to stay overnight
• food and drink
• congestion charges and tolls
• parking fees
• business phone calls and printing costs

You may also be able to claim tax relief on business mileage. You can claim for the current tax year and the four previous tax years. If you claim hotel and meal expenses, you’ll need to send receipts that include the date of your stay or of the meal and the name of the hotel or restaurant.

Uniforms, work clothing and tools

You might be eligible to claim tax relief on the cost of repairing or replacing small tools needed for your job (like scissors or an electric drill), or cleaning, repairing or replacing a uniform or specialist clothing (such as overalls or safety boots). Tax relief can be claimed for a uniform. A uniform is defined as a set of clothing that signifies your specific occupation, like a nurse or police officer.

You might also be able to claim for specialist clothing required for work, even if it doesn't identify your specific occupation, such as overalls or safety boots. However, there are certain things you cannot claim tax relief for:

• the initial cost of buying clothing for work
• cleaning, repairing or replacing everyday clothing you wear for work (even if you must wear a certain design or colour)
• the cost of laundering your own uniform or specialist clothing if your employer provides a free laundering service, and you choose not to use it

Tax relief cannot be claimed for PPE. If your job necessitates the use of PPE, your employer should either provide it free of charge or reimburse you if you've had to purchase it. You can claim either the actual amount spent or an agreed fixed amount (known as a 'flat rate expense' or 'flat rate deduction').

Check if your job has an agreed flat rate expense. You can claim for the current tax year and the four previous tax years. If you claim the actual amount you've spent, you must send copies of your receipts or other evidence which proves you've paid for the items and claim these as 'Other expenses' within the service. If you claim an agreed fixed amount (a flat rate expense ), you do not need to send evidence or claim these as 'Uniform, work clothing and tools' within the service.

Working from home

You may be able to claim tax relief for additional household costs if you have to work at home for all or part of the week. You can claim tax relief if you have to work from home, for example, because your job requires you to live far away from your office or your employer does not have an office.

You cannot claim tax relief if you choose to work from home. This includes if your employment contract lets you work from home some or all of the time, or your employer has an office, but you cannot go there sometimes because it's full.

You can only claim for things to do with your work, such as business phone calls, gas and electricity for your work area. You can claim for this tax year and the four previous tax years. You cannot claim for things that you use for both private and business use, such as rent or broadband access. You can either claim tax relief on £6 a week or the exact amount you've spent.

You'll receive tax relief based on your tax rate. For instance, if you're a basic rate taxpayer at 20% and claim tax relief on £6 per week, you would receive £1.20 per week in tax relief (20% of £6).

If you're claiming, you must provide proof that you are required to work from home, either for the tax year 2022 to 2023 or later, or for the precise amount you've spent. If you're claiming the exact amount you've spent, you will also need to provide evidence such as copies of your receipts or bills.