21-05-2025
Do you wear a uniform to work? How to claim back HUNDREDS of pounds in refunds
YOU could be owed hundreds of pounds in refunds purely based on your job.
HMRC allows you to get tax relief on certain work uniforms - and, if you're eligible, you can backdate a claim by four years.
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Here's everything you need to know about getting refunds on work-related expenses.
What is a uniform tax rebate?
A uniform tax rebate is open to workers who typically wear attire that identifies them as being in a certain profession, like a police officer or nurse.
You can also claim the tax relief if you work in agriculture, on aeroplanes or the construction sector.
There is a full list of professions which qualify for uniform tax relief, which you can see at
You may also be able to claim on specialist clothing that doesn't identify as being in a certain occupation - like overalls or safety boots.
You can only claim tax relief on work attire if you have bought, cleaned, repaired or replaced any yourself.
You also won't qualify for relief if your employer washes your clothes or has a facility offering a cleaning service.
Self-employed workers should claim uniform and laundry expenses when filling in their self-assessment tax return.
How much can you get?
How much tax relief you can get on your work uniform depends on your job, and how many years you are claiming for.
The standard flat-rate expense allowance is £60, but you don't get all of this.
You get back the amount of tax you would otherwise have paid on that £60. For a basic rate taxpayer that is 20% of £60 which is £12.
That means if you were claiming for the current tax year and the preceding four, you would get £60 overall.
You have until April 5, 2026, to claim the relief for the 2021/22 financial year, after which you won't be able to.
However, based on your job, there are different rates based on the type of role.
Pilots' rate is £1,022 meaning a basic rate taxpayer could get £204 a year - or £1,010 if backdating ever year until 2021/22.
Nurses and midwives' allowance is £125 meaning a basic rate taxpayer could get £25 a year, or £100 over five years.
If you are a higher rate taxpayer, you get 40% of your allowance. So someone getting a standard £60 allowance could get £24 a year.
If you're claiming tax relief for the current tax year, HMRC will change your tax code and you'll be taxed less on your future pay.
This means your monthly salary will rise slightly.
If you are claiming for previous tax years, HMRC will either make adjustments through your tax code meaning you'll get more future pay or a straight tax refund.
You'll be sent a letter by HMRC if you're owed a refund with details on when it will be paid.
How to claim the tax relief
If you are claiming tax relief for the first time you can do it online or by post by filling in a P87 form.
You can find the form via:
If you are posting the form, you have to send it to: Pay As You Earn, HM Revenue & Customs, BX9 1AS.
You'll need to have the following information to hand when filling out the form:
Employer's name and address
Your occupation, job title and industry sector
Your details, including your national insurance number and your pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) reference
Whether you're claiming flat-rate expenses (usually you will be, if not, you'll need detailed records of costs)
How you want to be paid – into your bank account or by cheque
If you've claimed uniform tax relief before, your tax code should have been adjusted so that any cash you are owed is issued through your pay.
But, if this doesn't happen, and you had expenses of less than £1,000, you may need to call to reclaim any refunds over the phone.
You can call HMRC on 0300 200 3310, 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, or 8am to 4pm on Saturday.
