If you’re a regular 9 to 5 PAYE employee, you might be surprised to learn that you can claim tax relief on certain expenses- provided your circumstances meet HMRC’s criteria.

Here are a few key ones you should know about:

🏠 Working from Home (WFH)

If you have to work from home because your employer doesn’t have an office (increasingly common since 2020) or your job requires you to live far from your regular site, you could claim for a portion of your household costs. You are not eligible if you choose to work from home.

Things like business phone calls and the energy used for your work area can be claimed but note that you can’t claim for things that are used both personally and professionally, like rent or broadband.

You can either claim for the exact amount used, or a flat rate of £6 per week.

Evidence will need to be provided to HMRC that you WFH, and you will need to keep bills and receipts if you claim the exact amount spent.

⚠️ Note: The rules have changed and been tightened since COVID, so if you previously claimed then it’s best to check if you are still eligible.

🧾 Professional Fees & Subscriptions

Need to be part of a professional body or union for your role? If the organisation is on HMRC’s approved list, you can claim tax relief on your membership fees and annual subscriptions (provided that your employer does not cover this already). Always worth checking.

🚗 Using Your Own Vehicle for Work

Do you use your own vehicle for work-related travel (excluding your regular commute)? You may be eligible to claim mileage relief:

• Cars & Vans – 45p per mile (first 10,000 miles), then 25p

• Motorbikes – 24p per mile

• Bicycles – 20p per mile

Keep a log of your mileage and remember—if your employer reimburses you for part of it, deduct that from your claim.

👕 Uniforms, Work Clothing and Tools

If you wear a uniform (think branded clothing rather than a generic shirt and tie), require specialist clothing such as safety boots, or need small tools to do your job, you may be able to claim tax relief. This also applies to some roles with specific dress requirements (e.g. construction, healthcare).

You can either claim an agreed flat-rate expense or the actual amount spent.

✈️ Travel & 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.

⏳ How & When to Claim

• You can claim most of these for the current tax year and the 4 previous tax years.

• If your employer already reimburses you, then you may not be able to claim

• Most claims can be made online, or alternatively via postal form P87

 

💡 All of these can add up – and while it might not be thousands, every little helps. And yes, HMRC even has an online tool to guide you through it:
👉 www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees

📢 Many people are unaware they’re leaving money on the table simply because “I didn’t know I could claim.” If this is news to you – take a few minutes to check.