HMRC Uniform Tax Rebate for Workers: How to claim back HUNDREDS of pounds in refunds

If you wear a uniform or protective clothing for your job and pay for cleaning or repairs yourself, you could be entitled to a tax refund from HMRC. Not only can you claim for the current year, but you can also backdate your claim by up to four years — meaning you could receive a decent amount of money straight into your bank account.

Here’s everything you need to know about claiming tax relief on your work clothing.

What Is a Uniform Tax Rebate?

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A uniform tax rebate is a type of tax relief given to employees who wear a recognisable uniform or specialist clothing for work and handle the cleaning, repair, or replacement costs themselves.

You might qualify if you work in roles such as:

• Police officer
• Nurse or midwife
• Agricultural worker
• Construction worker
• Airline staff (including pilots)

Even if your clothing is not branded but is protective gear like overalls or safety boots, you may still be eligible.

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However, you can’t claim if your employer handles the washing or provides a laundry service.

If you’re self-employed, you can claim these expenses directly in your Self Assessment tax return.

How Much Can You Claim?

The amount of tax relief depends on your profession and tax rate. HMRC sets flat-rate expense allowances for different jobs.

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Here’s how it works:

• Standard allowance: £60 per year
• Basic rate taxpayers (20%) get back £12 per year
• If you claim for five years, that’s £60 total

Some professions get higher allowances:

• Nurses and midwives: £125/year → £25 refund per year (or £100 over five years)
• Pilots: £1,022/year → £204 refund per year (or £1,010 over five years)

If you’re a higher rate taxpayer (40%), you could receive double the refund. For example, a £60 allowance would return £24 per year instead of £12.

Important Date

You must claim by April 5, 2026, for expenses from the 2021/22 financial year. After this, that year’s refund opportunity will be lost.

How Will HMRC Pay You?

If you’re claiming:

• For the current year: HMRC will adjust your tax code so you pay less tax in the future
• For previous years: You’ll receive a refund directly, or HMRC may adjust your tax code for future payments

HMRC will send you a letter confirming the amount and how it will be paid — usually by bank transfer or cheque.

How to Make a Claim

First-Time Claimants

You’ll need to fill out a P87 form, available online or by post. Here’s what you need to get started:

• Your employer’s name and address
• Your job title and sector
• Your National Insurance number
• Your PAYE reference number (from your payslip)
• Type of expense — flat-rate or actual cost
• Your payment method (bank account or cheque)

Submit by Post

Send your form to:
Pay As You Earn, HM Revenue & Customs, BX9 1AS

Or apply online:
Visit GOV.UK to submit your claim

Already Claimed Before?

If you’ve claimed in the past, your tax code may already reflect the uniform allowance. But if your claim was under £1,000 and not processed properly, you may need to call HMRC to receive your refund.

If you’re wearing a uniform or protective clothing for work and paying for its upkeep, you may be owed a tax refund for the last four years. Even if the amount seems small each year, it adds up. For some, the total could be over £1,000, depending on the job. The process is simple — especially with HMRC’s online tools and the P87 form. Don’t delay — claim before the deadline and make sure you get back the money you’re entitled to.

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